US3715568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for gathering and transmitting source data
Assignee: AUTOMATA CORP
•
Filing: 1970-11-16
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1990-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A data gathering and transmitting system includes apparatus for reading data encoded on elongated strips, such as conventional fan-fold strips, and functions in an edit operation for error checking of the read data and compilation of plural such strips, and in a transmit operation for transmitting the data to a central processing station. The fan-fold strip is conformed to a computer memory print out for convenience of marking thereof as in a quantity ordering application. Plural separate fan-fold strips may be spliced together, the reader automatically affording the splicing operation in the edit operation. The reader also effects error checking, including detection of marks of questionable integrity on the fan-fold strip as to reliability of reading as well as to improper marking, either in the omission of required marks, or in the provision of marks not permitted in the encoding format employed, and automatically positions the strip to identify the position thereon at which the error is detected, for human scrutiny and correction. During edit, therefore, the data is compiled and any error automatically identified for scrutiny and correction by the human operator; in the transmit operation, therefore, reliable and accurate transmission is assured. In an order mode, a receiver at the central station responds to the content and format of the data as received from the transmitter to afford an effective doubling of the content of the transmitted data for a given bit rate of transmission. Herein, the sequence of receipt of data words from each strip identifies the word and the related position of the central computer memory to which each such word relates. A change in the format automatically causes the system to switch to a cash mode in which the system functions to transmit and receive digital words of the prescribed format in accordance with the page identification and other encoded identification thereof, as required.
Inventors
- 👤 L Azure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0751; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, the output signals being proportional in signal level to the integrity of the scanned indicia, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, error checking means establishing threshold levels and including comparison means responsive to the threshold levels and responsive to the output signals from said scanning station for producing an error indication output for each output signal having a signal level relative to the threshold levels corresponding to indicia or doubtful integrity, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the scanned inDicia receiving areas resulting in the error checking output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, the output signals being proportional in signal level to the integrity of the scanned indicia, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, error checking means establishing threshold levels and including comparison means responsive to the threshold levels and responsive to the output signals from said scanning station for producing an error indication output for each output signal having a signal level relative to the threshold levels corresponding to indicia or doubtful integrity, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the scanned inDicia receiving areas resulting in the error checking output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, the output signals being proportional in signal level to the integrity of the scanned indicia, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, error checking means establishing threshold levels and including comparison means responsive to the threshold levels and responsive to the output signals from said scanning station for producing an error indication output for each output signal having a signal level relative to the threshold levels corresponding to indicia or doubtful integrity, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the scanned inDicia receiving areas resulting in the error checking output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, the output signals being proportional in signal level to the integrity of the scanned indicia, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, error checking means establishing threshold levels and including comparison means responsive to the threshold levels and responsive to the output signals from said scanning station for producing an error indication output for each output signal having a signal level relative to the threshold levels corresponding to indicia or doubtful integrity, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the scanned inDicia receiving areas resulting in the error checking output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said error checking means further comprises: means for establishing first and second threshold levels, and said comparison means compares the signal levels produced by said scanning station with said thresholds thereby to recognize signals less than said first threshold as not representing scanned indicia and to accept signals exceeding said second threshold as representing indicia of acceptable integrity, while recognizing any signal of a level intermediate said first and second thresholds as representing scanned indicia of doubtful integrity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein there are defined prohibited data bit formats of the data indicia and said error checking means comprising: means for processing the output signals from said scanning station and representing the scanned data indicia, to determine if that indicia conforms to the prohibited data bit formats.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongated strip comprises a fan-fold strip and wherein said transport means further comprises: means for receiving a supply of said fan-fold strip in a folded stack for transport therefrom through said sensing station, and means for receiving the strip subsequent to transport thereof through said scanning station for scanning in a random stack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said transport means further includes: a splicing station, means for sensing the trailing edge of the fan-fold strip, and means for controlling said transport means to terminate transport of the strip with the trailing edge thereof positioned at the splicing station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
206 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip wherein said strip comprises a plurality of successive pages connected end to end and wherein each page includes a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, at least one row of indicia receiving areas on each such page having indicia selectively applied thereto to identify the number of that page, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, means for recognizing the scanning of the page number row for each such page, error checking means receiving the output signals from said scanning station and responsive to the absence of indicia in said page number row during scanning thereof in response to said recognizing means to identify an error in the data format of that row and produce an error indication output in response thereto, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the page number row containing the data format error.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
206 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip wherein said strip comprises a plurality of successive pages connected end to end and wherein each page includes a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, at least one row of indicia receiving areas on each such page having indicia selectively applied thereto to identify the number of that page, comprising: a sensing station including means for scanning the rows of indicia receiving areas of a strip and producing output signals in accordance with scanning of indicia therein, means for transporting the elongated data strip through the scanning station, means for recognizing the scanning of the page number row for each such page, error checking means receiving the output signals from said scanning station and responsive to the absence of indicia in said page number row during scanning thereof in response to said recognizing means to identify an error in the data format of that row and produce an error indication output in response thereto, and control means responsive to an error indication output from said error checking means to control said transport means to stop the transport of the strip for human scrutiny of the page number row containing the data format error.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
239 words
For use in a source data input system, a data bearing document adaptable for high speed transport past a scanning station comprising: a plurality of pages adapted for being joined at the trailing end of each thereof to the leading end of a successive one thereof, to afford a continuous elongated document, the elongated document being foldable at the joined ends of the pages for superpositioning of the pages in a stack, each such page including a plurality of columns of preprinted marks and of mark indication areas for scanning by respectively corresponding scanning means and including: a column containing a preprinted page mark, a plurality of columns of mark indication areas with the indication areas grouped in transverse rows for receiving indicia selectively therein in accordance with a prescribed data format, a column of timing marks with the timing marks respectively corresponding to, and in predetermined positions with respect to, the corresponding rOws of indication areas for scanning by the respectively corresponding scanning means in timed relationship to the scanning of the indication areas of the respectively corresponding rows, and a column containing a blanking mark extending from each of the leading and the trailing ends of each such page and defining corresponding end areas extending transversely thereof and devoid of mark indication areas, for being sensed by associated scanning means to inhibit responses to scanning of any marks in the transverse end areas of each such page.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
239 words
For use in a source data input system, a data bearing document adaptable for high speed transport past a scanning station comprising: a plurality of pages adapted for being joined at the trailing end of each thereof to the leading end of a successive one thereof, to afford a continuous elongated document, the elongated document being foldable at the joined ends of the pages for superpositioning of the pages in a stack, each such page including a plurality of columns of preprinted marks and of mark indication areas for scanning by respectively corresponding scanning means and including: a column containing a preprinted page mark, a plurality of columns of mark indication areas with the indication areas grouped in transverse rows for receiving indicia selectively therein in accordance with a prescribed data format, a column of timing marks with the timing marks respectively corresponding to, and in predetermined positions with respect to, the corresponding rOws of indication areas for scanning by the respectively corresponding scanning means in timed relationship to the scanning of the indication areas of the respectively corresponding rows, and a column containing a blanking mark extending from each of the leading and the trailing ends of each such page and defining corresponding end areas extending transversely thereof and devoid of mark indication areas, for being sensed by associated scanning means to inhibit responses to scanning of any marks in the transverse end areas of each such page.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A data bearing document as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a predetermined number of said rows of indication areas on each such page, identifiable in accordance with the row relationship thereof to said page mark, being utilized for receiving indicia for identification of the number of each such page.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A document as recited in claim 8 further comprising: each successive row of said indication areas subsequent to said predetermined number thereof being identifiable by its row position relative to said page mark and said predetermined number of page identification rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A document as recited in claim 9 wherein there is further provided a second timing mark adjacent said first thereof and preceding a first of said rows of indication areas thereby to distinguish between the subsequent data processing to be performed on the data derived in scanning of said rows of areas for each such page.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a support for said strip over which said strip is transported and including a first generally flat portion and a second arcuate portion, transport means for transporting said strip over said support and across said first and second portions thereof in succession and including means for tensioning said strip in passing over said second, arcuate portion, and means for scanning said strip, said scanning means being positioned to scan said strip at an intermediate position of said arcuate portion of said support means as said strip is transported thereover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
A source data input device for reading data from an elongated strip on which the data is represented by indicia selectively applied to the strip in accordance with a plurality of rows of indicia receiving areas, comprising: a support for said strip over which said strip is transported and including a first generally flat portion and a second arcuate portion, transport means for transporting said strip over said support and across said first and second portions thereof in succession and including means for tensioning said strip in passing over said second, arcuate portion, and means for scanning said strip, said scanning means being positioned to scan said strip at an intermediate position of said arcuate portion of said support means as said strip is transported thereover.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as recited in claim 11 wherein there are further provided edge guides associated with said support means to confine lateral movement of said strip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
A device as recited in claim 11 wherein said transport means includes drive means for drawing said strip from said support means, said drive means being positioned adjacent the end of said second, arcuate portion remote from said first, flat portion, and said tensioning means is associated with said flat portion and applies a dragging force to said strip opposing the direction of transport of said strip effected by said drive means to cause said strip to conform to said arcuate portion of said support means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
413 words
A method for gathering source data from each of a plurality of remote locations for use at a central location and employing a fan-fold strip having a plurality of pages connected end to end and utilized in association with respectively corresponding plural pages of a computer print out, each page of said computer print out being identified and including a plurality of rows of items and each page of said fan-fold strip including means for indicating each successive such page thereof and having a plurality of rows of indication areas for receiving indicia in accordance with predetermined data format identifying the corresponding page of said computer print out with which it is utilized and for entering data indicia in relation to the items of the corresponding rows of the corresponding computer print out page, comprising: positioning a fan-fold strip in association with a plural page computer print out for associating each page of the strip with each page of the print out and aligning each row of the strip with each row of the print ouT page, marking each page of said strip in the page identifying indication areas to identify that page in relation to the associated computer print out page, entering data indicia on said page of said strip in said rows of indication areas in relation to the items in the corresponding rows of the associated page of the computer print out, scanning the pages of said fan-fold strip in succession and the rows of areas of each thereof in sequence to generate at least one digital word indicating each successive page and at least a further digital word specifically identifying that page in accordance with the page indicia entered thereon, and to generate a sequence of digital words corresponding to the plural rows of indication areas of each said page and corresponding to the data represented by the indicia therein, processing the digital words as electrical signals for transmission from a remote location to a central location, receiving at said central location the transmissions from each of a plurality of remote locations in accordance with the identification of the remote location, and recognizing, at the central location, for each transmission received thereby, the digital word identifying each new page, in succession, for generating a respectively corresponding digital control word and generating a succession of identifying digital control words in accordance with receipt of the succession of page identification and data digital words, for thereby identifying each such digital word.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
413 words
A method for gathering source data from each of a plurality of remote locations for use at a central location and employing a fan-fold strip having a plurality of pages connected end to end and utilized in association with respectively corresponding plural pages of a computer print out, each page of said computer print out being identified and including a plurality of rows of items and each page of said fan-fold strip including means for indicating each successive such page thereof and having a plurality of rows of indication areas for receiving indicia in accordance with predetermined data format identifying the corresponding page of said computer print out with which it is utilized and for entering data indicia in relation to the items of the corresponding rows of the corresponding computer print out page, comprising: positioning a fan-fold strip in association with a plural page computer print out for associating each page of the strip with each page of the print out and aligning each row of the strip with each row of the print ouT page, marking each page of said strip in the page identifying indication areas to identify that page in relation to the associated computer print out page, entering data indicia on said page of said strip in said rows of indication areas in relation to the items in the corresponding rows of the associated page of the computer print out, scanning the pages of said fan-fold strip in succession and the rows of areas of each thereof in sequence to generate at least one digital word indicating each successive page and at least a further digital word specifically identifying that page in accordance with the page indicia entered thereon, and to generate a sequence of digital words corresponding to the plural rows of indication areas of each said page and corresponding to the data represented by the indicia therein, processing the digital words as electrical signals for transmission from a remote location to a central location, receiving at said central location the transmissions from each of a plurality of remote locations in accordance with the identification of the remote location, and recognizing, at the central location, for each transmission received thereby, the digital word identifying each new page, in succession, for generating a respectively corresponding digital control word and generating a succession of identifying digital control words in accordance with receipt of the succession of page identification and data digital words, for thereby identifying each such digital word.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 14 wherein each page of the fan-fold strip is indicated by an initial preprinted mark thereon and identification of each page in scanning thereof is performed by automatically generating the said at least one digital word identifying each new page in response to detection of that mark.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as recited in claim 14 wherein there are provided two said page marks and wherein a page identifying digital word is generated for each of said page marks, further comprising recognizing in each transmission the receipt of two successive page identification marks for generating a digital control word of fixed format in association with receipt of the succeeding data words.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
A transmitter for use in a data transmission system for transmitting a message of plural, successive digital words ordered in groups thereof in accordance with their derivation from corresponding pages of a data source document of plural pages, for transmission to a remote location, comprising: means responsive to an output derived in scanning said source document in accordance with each successive page thereof to generate an initial digital word of predetermined format indicating the initiation of a group of successive digital words, means responsive to data derived from said document in accordance with encoded data indicia provided thereon in successive groups of data indicia receiving areas on each said document to generate a corresponding succession of digital words, and means responsive to each such digital word thus generated to produce a serial bit digital word for transmission to a central location, in succession, for the plurality of successive digital words.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
150 words
A transmitter for use in a data transmission system for transmitting a message of plural, successive digital words ordered in groups thereof in accordance with their derivation from corresponding pages of a data source document of plural pages, for transmission to a remote location, comprising: means responsive to an output derived in scanning said source document in accordance with each successive page thereof to generate an initial digital word of predetermined format indicating the initiation of a group of successive digital words, means responsive to data derived from said document in accordance with encoded data indicia provided thereon in successive groups of data indicia receiving areas on each said document to generate a corresponding succession of digital words, and means responsive to each such digital word thus generated to produce a serial bit digital word for transmission to a central location, in succession, for the plurality of successive digital words.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 17 wherein each page of the document includes a timing mark preprinted thereon, and wherein: said generating means includes means responsive to scanning of said timing mark for automatically generating said initial digital word in said predetermined format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 17 wherein said means for generating each digital word as a serial word for transmission comprises: means responsive to reading of the indicia in each group of associated areas to initiate a timing cycle at a prescribed frequency rate and of a number of bit time positions corresponding to the number of bits in the digital word to be generated, and gating means responsive to each bit of each digital word and to said timing cycle for sUpplying the plural bits of each digital word in succession in predetermined time positions as the output serial digital word for transmission.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 19 wherein there is further provided means enabled by said bit position timing means and by the bits of each digital word in each group thereof to determine the parity of the digital words derived in reading data indicia from each page.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 20 wherein there is further provided means responsive to the parity value of each group of digital words to produce a parity bit of a required bit value in accordance with the adopted parity convention and for inserting that parity bit in a predetermined bit position of the succeeding, initial digital word of predetermined format.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 17 wherein there is further provided error checking means responsive to scanning of data indicia of prohibited format in each such digital word to terminate the reading operation of said device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 22 wherein said error checking means is responsive to the absence of any indicia where such indicia is required for a given digital word to indicate an error to terminate the reading operation of said device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A transmitter as recited in claim 23 wherein there are provided means for effecting said error checking functions in an edit operation of said device and where said error checking functions are inhibited during a transmit operation of said device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
200 words
A receiver for use in a data transmission system wherein received data comprises a message of a plurality of digital words received in succession and ordered in groups thereof as indicated by at least an initial digital word of predetermined format, comprising: decoding means responsive to receipt of said initial digital word of said predetermined format to recognize the initiation of receipt of one such group of successive digital words, output means responsive to receipt of each digital word for producing a plural bit data word output, control word generating means initialized by said decoding means in response to receipt of said digital words of said predetermined format for generating a plural bit digit control word output to be supplied simultaneously with said data word output, and means responsive to each successive digital word of each group thereof in each said message to supply a word receipt signal to said control word generating means, and means for enabling said control word generating means to respond to each said word receipt signal corresponding to each newly received digital word to generate a respectively corresponding control word in accordance with the relationship of that new digital word to said initial digital word.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
200 words
A receiver for use in a data transmission system wherein received data comprises a message of a plurality of digital words received in succession and ordered in groups thereof as indicated by at least an initial digital word of predetermined format, comprising: decoding means responsive to receipt of said initial digital word of said predetermined format to recognize the initiation of receipt of one such group of successive digital words, output means responsive to receipt of each digital word for producing a plural bit data word output, control word generating means initialized by said decoding means in response to receipt of said digital words of said predetermined format for generating a plural bit digit control word output to be supplied simultaneously with said data word output, and means responsive to each successive digital word of each group thereof in each said message to supply a word receipt signal to said control word generating means, and means for enabling said control word generating means to respond to each said word receipt signal corresponding to each newly received digital word to generate a respectively corresponding control word in accordance with the relationship of that new digital word to said initial digital word.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
101 words
A receiver as recited in claim 25 wherein said enabling means further includes means associated with said decoding means and responsive to receipt thereby of two successive ones of said initial digital words of said predetermined format to produce an inhibit output, and said enabling means is disabled upon receipt of said inhibit output to prevent said control word generating means from receiving any further ones of said word receipt signals and thereby to maintain the control word output of said control word generating means in the initialized format thereof throughout succeeding digital words of each said group of a message.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
A receiver as recited in claim 26 wherein there is further provided gating means associated with at least one bit position of the plural bit output of said control word generating means to alter the value of that bit position in response to said inhibit signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
125 words
A receiver as recited in claim 25 wherein the data transmission is in serial form and there is further provided: means responsive to a start bit of each received serial digital word to generate a time duration signal of prescribed duration, means responsive to and enabled by said time duratioN signal to generate a plurality of shift pulses at a rate in accordance with a predetermined bit rate of the transmission, and a serial to parallel converter having a number of stages corresponding to the number of data bits in each digital word for receiving the serial digital word for storage therein in the corresponding stages thereof under control of said shift pulses to supply said digital word bits to said output data word means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
A receiver as recited in claim 28 wherein there is further provided means enabled by said shift pulse train and responsive to the serial data bits of each received word for the entirety of words of each group to determine the parity thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
109 words
A receiver as recited in claim 29 wherein the initial digital word includes in the predetermined format thereof a parity bit position containing a parity bit relating to the preceding group of digital words and wherein: said data word output means provides said parity bit derived from said initial digital word, as received, as that corresponding bit in the output data word, and there is further provided gating means responsive to the parity output indication of said parity determining means of said receiver for inserting a parity bit in a predetermined bit position of the data word output produced in response to receipt of each said initial digital word.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
82 words
A receiver as recited in claim 25 wherein start of message and end of message indications are provided by bit encoded digital words of a format prohibited for use in any other digital words of the transmission, and there is further provided: start of message and end of message decoding means responsive to receipt of start of message and end of message digital words in the corresponding predetermined formats for enabling said receiver to recognize the start and end of messages, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3162468A
Cited
US3267258A
Cited
US3284929A
Cited
US3430033A
Cited
US3596062A
Cited
US3582627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |