Card Type Patents (Class 250/569)
  • Patent number: 10338012
    Abstract: A photon counting detector of an embodiment includes X-ray detection elements, a capacitor, and generating circuitry. The X-ray detection elements detect an X-ray and generate an electrical signal. The capacitor is provided for each of the X-ray detection element, and accumulates an electrical signal generated in each of the X-ray detection element. The generating circuitry has low sensitivity to radiation, and generates a digital signal by using an accumulation result of the electrical signal in the capacitors, and reference information that is stored in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Kato, Hiroaki Nakai, Mikihito Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9693437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an X-ray imaging system are described. The systems and methods typically include a support arm with a first end and a second end. The first end of the support arm connects to an articulating arm assembly and the second end of the support arm pivotally attaches to an X-ray imaging arm at a pivot joint so that the pivot joint functions as an axis of orbital rotation for the X-ray imaging arm. One or more controls for the X-ray imaging system are disposed on the support arm for the X-ray imaging arm. The controls can therefore remain stationary while the X-ray imaging arm rotates orbitally. The support arm can include a single member or a double member and one or more controls can be disposed on each member of the support arm. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Simmons, David Barker, Samuel Alder, Bret Nicholson, Robert Bruce Spratt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9056179
    Abstract: Hose connection system for narially sensitive diagnostic devices. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including a test device and a nasal cannula. The test device includes a first port configured to sense an attribute of airflow, and a second port configured to sense an attribute of airflow. The nasal cannula includes a first hose configured to fluidly couple on a device-end to the first port (and the first hose configured to fluidly couple between the first port and a first naris of a patient), and a second hose configured to fluidly couple on a device-end to the second port (and the second hose configured to fluidly couple between the second port and a second naris of the patient). The nasal cannula is configured such that the first hose only couples to the first port and the second hose only couples to the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ACOBA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alonzo C. Aylsworth, Charles R. Aylsworth
  • Patent number: 5362953
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading a bar code symbol with an illumination beam of light. The apparatus includes an integrally formed lens with a first lens surface for transmitting the beam of light toward the bar code symbol along an optical axis and second and third lens surfaces for receiving any of the beam of light that is reflected from the bar code symbol and transmitting the received light along two distinct optical paths to two photodiodes. The two distinct optical paths are separated from each other and not aligned with the optical axis. The configuration of lenses provides an improved depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Intermec Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. McKenna, Robert W. Rudeen, David W. Gilpin
  • Patent number: 5247166
    Abstract: A form reader especially for lottery forms with handwritten marks or bar codes includes a drum transport engaging the form, and a stepping motor advances the form circularly along a path around the drum, passing through a linear reading station elongated perpendicularly to the path. A light source illuminates the form at the read station and reflected light is incident on an elongated array of charge coupled device (CCD) light sensors via a focusing lens arrangement. An analog comparator coupled to a serial output of the CCD sensors digitizes encode and encodes each pixel in the elongated array repetitively during transport, sampling the reflectance of the form and defining an X-Y array of pixels. A digital processor coupled to an image memory analyzes the data for predetermined patterns such as handwritten marks, printed reference marks and/or printed bar code or OCR characters on the form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Gtech Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Cannon, Daniel Smith, Mark Bowen
  • Patent number: 5230673
    Abstract: An exerciser in accordance with the present invention includes a load apparatus for applying load to pedaling of a user, pulse data detecting apparatus for detecting pulse data of the user, a card for storing optically readable individual data such as age and physical strength of the user, optical reading means for optically reading the individual data stored in the data card, and control means for controlling the magnitude of load applied by the load apparatus based on the read individual data and the detected pulse data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Cat Eye Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hachiro Maeyama, Takashi Ueda, Masaaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5206521
    Abstract: An energy saving, optoelectronic system provides a means for energizing and deenergizing electrical loads. The system includes a continuous light transmission source and a light receiving circuit that senses a light pattern and, in response, develops a first or a second output signal. The system also includes a gating circuit that receives the output signal. The gating circuit comprises a logic circuit arranged such that the receiving circuit will transmit the second output signal upon receiving a predetermined light signal. The system further includes a power switch that is open in response to an open circuit signal from the gating circuit and is closed in response to close circuit signal from the gating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Novedades Electronicas Internacionales s.a. de C.V.
    Inventors: Gregorio Ruiz, Juan Santarriaga
  • Patent number: 5189290
    Abstract: An optical card processing apparatus is disclosed in which an optical head producing an irradiating light beam is forcibly moved in a direction orthogonal to a direction of tracks of an optical card set in the apparatus. A tracking error signal as the moving light beam irradiates the card is analyzed to determine if the optical card is properly set in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 5173595
    Abstract: A punchcode reader is provided for reading data encoded in a punchcode hole array on a dosimeter. The dosimeter falls through a passage in the reader containing photosensor detectors disposed along the passage which provide output signals to a microprocessor. The signals are processed to determine the orientation of the dosimeter in the reader, the location and state of punchcode holes in a two row array thereby decoding the encoded data. Multiple rate of fall calculations are made, and if appropriate matching of the punchcode array is not obtained in three tries, an error signal is outputted to the operator. The punchcode reader also provides for storage of data from multiple dosimeters passed through the reader, and for the output of decoded data to an external display or a computer for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: James M. Langsted
  • Patent number: 5034619
    Abstract: An optical reader is designed to be insensitive to specular reflection, particularly at tapered lead-in areas to the left and right of a coded record on a record member. The optical reader includes a photosensor that is oriented with its optical axis along the reader optical center line so as to be situated substantially perpendicular to the record member passing through a reader slot. There are upper and lower LEDs only, which are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the optical center line in a vertical plane. That is, the LEDs lie in a plane perpendicular to the path of a record member being swiped through the slot. In this way, no specular reflection at the lead-in areas will fall onto the photosensor. In addition, the effect of specular reflection occurring at areas of the record member in a plane perpendicular to its path of travel is reduced by a factor of two over an optical reader using a single LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Hammond, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4853525
    Abstract: A forgery-proof optoelectric card system is disclosed which includes a reader and code card comprising invisible light and dark codings forming at least one reading track. At least one reading head is provided which may comprise a photodiode as a ligh source and a phototransistor as a light receiver. The light codings having a first pass band to infrared light. Superimposed over selected ones of said light codings are filters having an attenuation band that is narrower than and lies within the pass band of the light codings. Additionally, a secondary light receiver responsive only to light lying within the attenuation band of the filter is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Interflex Satensysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Vogt, Anton Schuhwerk
  • Patent number: 4838404
    Abstract: A token and photo-detector circuitry in an electronic device used for supplying electrical power to an external appliance for an amount of time represented on the token. The token contains encoded information in a base numbering system in several regions of the token and this information is read by the circuitry to represent a time value whereby the circuit relays power to the appliance for an equivalent length of time. Several tokens may be deposited into the device in any orientation so as to accumulate time for use of the appliance. The device is programmable and can communicate with the user/operator with the appropriate hardware additions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Mark A. Nash
  • Patent number: 4797543
    Abstract: An IC card has at least a CPU and a memory unit having a plurality of storage areas allocated therein and can write or read information. The IC card includes an indication unit which indicates if the information written in the storage area is the information to be subjected to an updated information readout for reading only the latest information or the information to be subjected to a history information readout for reading the information written in the storage area, sequentially in a predetermined order. In accordance with an indication by the indication unit, a selective readout of the information in the storage area is possible between the updated information readout and the history information readout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: 501 Toppan Moore Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4797872
    Abstract: In a method of reproducing data recorded on an optical card in such a manner that distances between successive pits are modulated in accordance with the data, the optical card and an optical reading device are moved relative to each other in a reciprocal manner to derive a read-out signal both in forward and backward movements, the polarity of the read-out signal is selectively inverted in accordance with the mutual relation between the write-in direction and the read-out direction, the read-out signal is converted into a bivalent signal, and a reproduced signal is derived from the bivalent signal in such a manner that front or rear edges of pits viewed in the write-in direction are always detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Rokutan
  • Patent number: 4786792
    Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system using a length of optical recording material in which data in the form of microscopic spots is disposed in cells forming a regularly spaced grid. While the material is being moved in a lengthwise direction by a transport, rows of cells are being read by a linear CCD array, one row at a time. A servo system advances the material so that successive rows can be read, while a second servo adjusts the position of the material in the crosswise direction for proper alignment with the CCD array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Drexler Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Pierce, James L. Buxton
  • Patent number: 4771165
    Abstract: An identification code provided in relief on an object is read in that a radiation beam is obliquely incident on the surface on which the identification code is provided, and in that the identification code is observed by a detection system by means of the shadows thus cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Geerhard van Hulzen, Loth Voskuilen
  • Patent number: 4736109
    Abstract: A coded document is provided for use in a document reading system having a plurality of markable areas defined thereon and a first and second coded pattern disposed in predetermined relation to the markable areas. Each of the coded patterns has an identical predefined signature when viewed from any direction. A coded document reader includes a video camera that captures the image carried on the coded document. Pixel data is stored in a memory corresponding to the document area scanned by the video camera. The stored data is analyzed to identify detected signatures corresponding to the coded pattern signatures. Based on the location of the identified detected signatures and stored data defining the positions of the markable locations relative to the coded patterns, the position within the stored data of each of the markable locations on the card is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Anthony P. Dvorzsak
  • Patent number: 4626671
    Abstract: An optical storage card reading system using a cylindrical lens is disclosed which provides for a large viewing cone at the surface of the optical storage card thus improving the ability to read optically recorded data despite scratches or dust on the optical storage card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell Information Systems Inc.
    Inventor: J. Nathaniel Marshall
  • Patent number: 4508686
    Abstract: Apparatus and test film strip for evaluation of a film processor, particularly an x-ray film processor, based on a photodetector signal sequentially indicating the optical density of graded density test areas on a developed film and comparing the output thereof to a preselected voltage relating to the acceptable/too dark threshold of an unexposed or base fog area, the acceptable or too light threshold of a maximum density or dark area and the acceptable/too light and acceptable/too dark threshold of a medium density test area. Sequence testing of the graded density areas is functionally related on a single film strip to timing marks, adapted to be read by photodetector and timing circuitry, the timing marks and graded density test areas being linearly spaced and relatively disposed along the length of film strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Probex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Shaber, Charles W. Buenzli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4494691
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Guy Boutrois
  • Patent number: 4463649
    Abstract: A waveform producing system in which a source of infrared radiation or magnetic flux in a pattern forming section applies energy to a mask constituting a pattern-forming device that passes and masks the radiation or flux for passing the radiation or flux in a pattern which represents a waveform in a coordinate system with axes of time and amplitude in a plane. This distributes the radiation or flux and amplitude in a plane, and distributes the radiation or flux spatially in a pattern corresponding to the waveform. A matrix of transducers in series within parallel rows in a conversion section receive the radiation or flux passed and converts it to electrical signals which have a sampled value of the waveform. The sampled values thus obtained are scanned subsequentially in the direction of the time axis by a sequential readout circuit and the outputs of the sampled values are arranged sequentially with time to develop the waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadao Tokushima
  • Patent number: 4446204
    Abstract: Security paper with authenticity characteristics embodied therein or printed thereon which are both ferrimagnetic and also only slightly absorbed in the infrared spectral region.The presence of both properties at the same position on the security paper is tested, wherein both tests can preferably be carried out simultaneously. Materials which show this rare combination of properties are some ferrites, ferrimagnetic garnet compounds and the so-called green ferromagnetic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: GAO Gesellschaft fur Automation und Organisation mbH.
    Inventors: Wittich Kaule, Gerhard Schwenk, Gerhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 4317030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the automatic sorting of mail by optical scanning equipment is provided and includes a first, usually dark-colored sheet, and a second sheet of a generally light-colored material overlying the first sheet and having a coded array of apertures therethrough, thereby permitting the first sheet to be read by the optical scanning equipment through the apertures in the second sheet. The array of apertures in the second sheet is coded to represent a desired original address, and a second array of apertures can be provided representing a return address. In such a case, various facilities are provided to cause the first sheet to selectively underlie either the original or return coded arrays of apertures so that the scanning equipment will read the desired address code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Inventor: Robin C. Berghell
  • Patent number: 4295051
    Abstract: An improved optical card reader is disclosed which is adapted for use with processing means for providing on-the-fly decoding of multibit data words from a card that is inserted therein. The card reader has two sets of light emitting means and two sets of light detecting means and the light detecting means are interconnected to provide a single set of outputs to comparators which measure the signal levels and provide distinct digital outputs. Selective energization of the light emitting means provides effective multiplexing of two multibit data words from a single set of outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: General Atomic Company
    Inventors: Fredy E. Graf, William M. Mahler, Howard J. Malan
  • Patent number: 4288701
    Abstract: Apparatus for sensing marks on a moving paper object includes light source means for transmitting light through a portion of a partially opaque mark and into the translucent fibers of a paper object. Light detecting means are provided for sensing the relative amount of light transmitted into said fibers by detecting the light in said fibers under said mark at an area transversely disposed from the portion of the mark where the light was applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Roy K. Hill
  • Patent number: 4283622
    Abstract: An optical sensing member for reading a coded member having parallel aligned tracks of data and clocking coded symbols which includes a pair of sensing apertures offset to enable the sensing of the data track to occur out of phase with the sensing of the clocking track. The sensing member includes a housing having a sensing surface in which the offset apertures are located, a light source, a pair of photo-transistors for sensing the tracks of coded symbols and optical fibers for transmitting light from the light source to the tracks of coded symbols and the reflected light to the photo-transistors for the reading of the coded members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Passer, George A. Sculley
  • Patent number: 4276470
    Abstract: A single sensor system reads a traveling bar code comprising a plurality of marks separated by spaces. Each of the marks may have either of two durations and each of the spaces has a uniform duration. The bar codes are transported, relative to the sensor, at any of many different speeds so that the signals generated by the sensor may have unpredictable durations. The inventive reader determines the speed at which the bar code is being transported and interprets the signals generated by the bar code marks according to the determined speed. As used herein, the reference to "any of many different speeds" recognizes that different bar code transport devices, owing to their own inherent characteristics, may operate at different speeds although the speed for any given code transport device will tend to be fairly uniform. In some embodiments, the invention accommodates speed fluctuations in the operation of a single transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Rady, Thomas R. Wells, Kenneth Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 4267439
    Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. Incandescent lamps are utilized to illuminate the document face across the scan line. The usable life of each lamp is extended by providing a constant current source in the operational lamp circuit. Incandescent lamps are utilized to illuminate the face of the document across the scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Key Tronic Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Thomas, Michael Piekarski
  • Patent number: 4196349
    Abstract: A device for reading the data on a card where the data are recorded in the form of marks or punched holes and the like includes means for producing a clock signal, such a clock signal being necessary for reading the data. The device is mechanical and eliminates the need for timing marks. Transit of the card through the device generates an optical signal which is converted into an electrical signal which, in turn, constitutes the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha, Shinshu Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yamada
  • Patent number: 4178503
    Abstract: A novel optically readable message card having columns of marking areas thereon where the vertically adjacent marking areas in a column are horizontally staggered. Also, a template for the message card and having columns of horizontally staggered marking openings therein corresponding to the marking areas on the message card. The horizontal staggering arrangement assures that an unskilled user will make a sufficiently long mark in the marking area on the message card so that the mark can be read by commercially available optical mark reading equipment. Furthermore, the staggered openings in the template assure the structural strength of the template. Also, a structurally strong, easy-to-use template assembly including the template and a base plate designed to hold the message card and accurately align it with the template. Also, a method of economically mass-producing the template assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Inventor: Edward J. Corwin
  • Patent number: 4176783
    Abstract: A column sensor includes a disc which is rotatably supported at one end of a lever arm and in proximity to a card reading station of a manually operable card reader. The lever arm is itself supported for rotation and biased by a spring bearing on an end of the lever arm so that a circumferential surface of the disc is urged into contact with one of the major boundary surfaces of an elongated passageway in the card reader. As a card is moved through the passageway, incremental rotation of the disc due to contact of the circumferential surface thereof with a surface of the card is detected by a light source - light detector pair mounted on the lever arm and on opposing sides of the disc, with light being coupled from the light source to the light detector through a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending apertures in the disc so that the light detector accordingly provides an alternating electrical output signal representative of the spacing of data columns on the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Ebco Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Helmut Eppich
  • Patent number: 4136820
    Abstract: The directory includes a reader for a code punched card comprising a first portion including a first plurality of compartments having a given orientation. A single light emitting device is disposed in each of the first plurality of compartments and reflective material lines all the walls of each of the first plurality of compartments to diffuse light emitted by the light emitting device throughout the first plurality of compartments. A second portion of the automatic calling directory includes a second plurality of compartments having an orientation orthogonal to the said given orientation. A single light detecting device is diposed in each of the second plurality of compartments and reflective material lines all the walls of each of the second plurality of compartments to reflect the diffused light that pass through the punched holes in the card to the single light detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Collado, Enrique Leon
  • Patent number: 4135663
    Abstract: A system for recognizing bar code information having a plurality of bar codes. One of bar codes is constituted as an index code in a different manner from the other bar codes constituted as numerical codes. These bar codes are scanned sequentially and converted into corresponding parallel digital signals. Code scanning directions are discriminated with reference to the parallel digital signal corresponding to the index code. A plurality of registers adapted to memorize each parallel digital signal are triggered in forward and reverse sequences, when the scanning directions are discriminated to be forward and reverse, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Nojiri, Akio Sugiura
  • Patent number: 4122997
    Abstract: A bundle of illuminating optical fibers conveys light from a light source to an area on a document in which a mark may be present or absent. A bundle of reading optical fibers conveys light reflected from the area to a light sensor. The amount of conveyed light is less when the mark is present than when the mark is absent so that the light sensor may determine whether the mark is present. The optical axes of the optical fibers are perpendicular to the document at the ends thereof facing the document. The width of the reading optical fiber bundle and the distance of the reading optical fiber bundle from the illuminating optical fiber bundle are selected to provide maximum contrast between marks and the background of the document so that glossy marks made by pencil as well as non-glossy marks made by felt-tip pen or the like can be reliably read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhisa Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4114045
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Shiina
  • Patent number: 4104682
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for reducing the number of undetected errors serially read along the length of a magnetic stripe containing binary information. The magnetic stripe is adhesively attached to a plastic card. A serial self-clocking data stream is developed from a manual magnetic stripe encoded card reader. The data stream comprises clock and data signals including a start signal, an end signal and a summation signal. A four-stage down counter counts a predetermined number of clock signals which occur in a predetermined portion of the stripe after the occurrence of the summation signal. State machine control circuitry delays the detection of the data signals occurring after the end signal for a predetermined time to prevent the detection of the summation signal. Control circuitry controls the down counter and provides a finish signal after the down counter has counted off the number of clock signals in the predetermined portion of the stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald J. Lehner, Eugene F. Banka
  • Patent number: 4086476
    Abstract: An optical reader control system is disclosed wherein signals generated from detecting means positioned upstream and downstream of the optical reader control the operation of the optical reader to enforce the movement of a merchandise item past the optical reader within a predetermined path. Logic circuitry is disclosed for processing the detecting means signals for determining the occurrence of a valid read operation by the optical reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. King
  • Patent number: 4074852
    Abstract: Symbol decoding method and means are provided for identifying special symbols such as "start of tag" and "end of tag" forming part of a record contained on record media or placed directly on articles or credit cards in coded form such as a bar code. Various clock frequencies are applied through gates to counters for periods of time corresponding to sensed characteristics such as width of various components of the coded record in such manner that the final condition of the counter at the completion of sensing of the symbol provides an indication of the identity of the symbol. The counters may be of the up-down type, so that clock signals corresponding to different code components can cause the counter to count in different directions. Two counters are employed for detection of each of the "start of tag" and "end of tag" symbols so that the testing for the symbols can be commenced with successive components of the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wescott, John B. Christie
  • Patent number: 4066910
    Abstract: A photoelectric data card system is disclosed in which the cards are transmissivity-coded, so that light of a particular wave length and intensity is transmitted in varying degrees of different code digit representing areas of the cards, and thus the intensity of the light emerging from each of these code digit representing areas can be photoelectrically interpreted as the value of the digit represented by that area. A laminated card for use in this system is disclosed in which the transmissivity levels of the digit representing areas are provided by halftone printing on an inner lamination of dark-pigmented plastic card stock, and the inner lamination is sealed between two white-pigmented laminations of plastic card stock, the white-pigmented laminations being pigmented to such an extent that neither the location of the digit representing areas nor the values of the digits represented can be determined by casual inspection of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignee: Lawrence Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Merton Swift
  • Patent number: 4053736
    Abstract: A digital rate compensator for accommodating a wide dynamic range of data speeds derived from a encoded card reader thereby allowing downstream logic to compensatably follow said derived data. The digital rate compensator additionally includes a start message check for conclusive determinations of beginning of card reads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: Burroughs Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene F. Banka, Gerald J. Lehner
  • Patent number: 4019065
    Abstract: A document card reader including a row of light sources transmitting light through a corresponding series of column-like cavities within a pair of members between which a document card with punched openings therethrough may move and a convex lens placed so as to receive light transmitted through the document card openings and transmit the light from all of the openings to a photodetector positioned at substantially the focal point of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Emil Beastrom, Arlen John Bowen, Ronald James Keller, David George Nutt
  • Patent number: 4013894
    Abstract: A secure property document and system are provided which prevents the use of fraudulent credit cards and other documents. The documents each include optical and magnetic data sets. Each data set contains data elements having a spacial relationship to at least some of the data elements contained in the other data set. The system reads and processes the data to determine whether or not the spacial relationship corresponds to that recorded for the particular document. If the spacial relationship codes do not agree within predetermined limits, the document is rejected by the system, whereby the transaction may be refused or additional information requested from the document holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Addressograph Multigraph Corporation
    Inventors: Francis C. Foote, Charles K. Beck
  • Patent number: 4008962
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for making full color prints of a multicolor graphic original. The prints can be duplicates of the original or can be prints having colors for the various colors appearing in the original that have been synthesized to provide prints which are a "recoloring" of the original. The color data for synthesizing is stored in a permanent, machine readable form for later readout and use in controlling operation of the apparatus in order that the print from the original with synthesized colors can be easily reproduced without having to manually adjust controls for placing the necessary color data into the apparatus to obtain the desired "recolored" print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert F. Nepper
  • Patent number: 4002908
    Abstract: A sample radioactivity measuring system has a conveyor for moving a plurality of sample receiving locations in succession to a working position. A device for selecting the measuring program to be executed on the samples comprises a plurality of marker plugs each adapted to be removably located in the conveyor for movement by the conveyor. Each marker is provided with a different address code. Each address code corresponds to a location in a card reader. Cards insertable into the addressed locations each carry one of the programs and the program read from the card at the addressed location is used for processing the associated samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: Intertechnique S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Coutarel
  • Patent number: 3993893
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for reading information represented by at least one data line on a data carrier. Means are provided which define a path along which said data carrier is movable in a forward direction transversely to said data line. Line-reading means are adapted to detect said information when said data line is in a predetermined positon relative to said line-reading means. Position-detecting means are arranged to deliver a position-indicating signal when said data line is in said predetermined position. Data-receiving means are adapted to receive said information. Data-transmitting means serve to transmit the information detected by said line-reading means to said data-receiving means in response to said position-indicating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: J. Hengstler K.G.
    Inventor: Manfred Graf
  • Patent number: 3986612
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a designated card or card-like article such as a microfiche into or out of a stack of similar cards by producing a separation in the stack at a selected location with a stream of air and moving the designated card into or out of the separation with a vacuum pickup arm. The selected stack location is verified by reading means located outside of the stack and directed at retroreflective marks on the card exposed by the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Cutler-Hammer, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Kamm, Minard A. Leavitt
  • Patent number: 3971473
    Abstract: A selecting machine of the type commonly used for addressing mailed material from individual data-bearing cards, using tri-level logical comparator circuitry to compare the individual cards against an interchangeable master card. Both the individual and the master cards are perforated in files of holes longitudinal to the direction in which they are synchronously moved by the machine, the files of perforations being sensed by phototransistors connected in turn to the logic circuitry. For each potentially perforable site on the individual card, there are two corresponding locations on the master card, one of which when matched by a perforation on the individual card indicates nominal selection of the individual card, the other of which indicates positive rejection of the individual card, overriding any nominal selection, with rejection by default occurring if neither location on the master is perforated to correspond with a perforation at the equivalent site on the individual card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Inventors: Franklin Henry Ernst, Jr., Martin N. Nelson
  • Patent number: 3961160
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading a digital data word stored on a manually inserted card. The card includes a digital data word comprising a plurality of encoded characters stored on the card in the form of a two dimensional data matrix.The card reader includes a linear array of row data detection elements and an array of one or more rows of column data detection elements, each row being disposed perpendicular to the array of row data detection elements. As a card is inserted into the reader, the column data detection elements detect and store the data bits for each of the characters from the rows of the data matrix as those rows pass the column data detection element array. A circuit means coupled to the row and column data detection arrays identifies the detected column data with the corresponding rows of the data matrix which are currently overlying the column data detection array. Following full insertion of the card into the reader, the complete data matrix may be read out from the card reader memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: Incoterm Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Gorgens
  • Patent number: 3959627
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading a digital data word stored on a manually inserted card. The card includes a digital data word comprising a plurality of encoded characters stored on the card in the form of a two dimensional data matrix. Each column of the data matrix includes a binary data word representative of one of the encoded characters.The card reader includes a linear array of row data detection elements and a linear array of column data detection elements. As a card is inserted into the reader, the column data detection elements detect and store the data bits for each of the characters from the rows of the data matrix as those rows pass the column data detection element array. The row data detection array identifies the detected column data with the corresponding row of the data matrix which is currently passing the column data detection element array. Following full insertion of that card into the reader, the complete data matrix may be read out from the card reader memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: Incoterm Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Sonier
  • Patent number: RE29449
    Abstract: An apparatus for reading a digital data word stored on a manually inserted card. The card includes a digital data word comprising a plurality of encoded characters stored on the card in the form of a two dimensional data matrix.The card reader includes a linear array of row data detection elements and an array of one or more rows of column data detection elements, each row being disposed perpendicular to the array of row data detection elements. As a card is inserted into the reader, the column data detection elements detect and store the data bits for each of the characters from the rows of the data matrix as those rows pass the column data detection element array. A circuit means coupled to the row and column data detection arrays identifies the detected column data with the corresponding rows of the data matrix which are currently overlying the column data detection array. Following full insertion of the card into the reader, the complete data matrix may be read out from the card reader memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Incoterm Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Gorgens