US3763355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic position-actuated card reader
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-29
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A card reader includes a first plurality of sensors positioned in a row for sensing the position of a card moved dynamically across such sensors and a second plurality of sensors positioned in a row substantially perpendicular to the row of position sensors for reading information from a card. In one embodiment, the card contains Hollerith information. The card reader reads all of the digits or characters contained on the card simultaneously one-code-line at a time as the card is dynamically moved across the second row of sensors. Additional sensors are provided to determine whether the card is upside down, whether the card is an invalid card and to indicate when the card is initially positioned so that the card reader can start reading. The dynamic position-activated card reader system can be used in reading punched cards, credit cards, security badges and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 J Brand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/016; G06K7/0163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like members comprising: a. a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of such cards as the cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a plurality of code sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; and c. a plurality of logic gates for selectively in sequence enabling single ones of said plurality of position sensors exclusive of the others of said position sensors and for generating signals as such cards are moved over each enabled sensor whereby information recorded on such cards corresponding to the enabled position sensor is read by said code sensors.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like members comprising: a. a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of such cards as the cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a plurality of code sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; and c. a plurality of logic gates for selectively in sequence enabling single ones of said plurality of position sensors exclusive of the others of said position sensors and for generating signals as such cards are moved over each enabled sensor whereby information recorded on such cards corresponding to the enabled position sensor is read by said code sensors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 1 including control means coupled to said plurality of logic gates for sequentially activating said plurality of logic gates, said control means being coupled to and responsive to said generated signals whereby said plurality of position sensors are sequentially enabled in response to said generated signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said control means includes a counter, said counter being coupled to said logic gates providing said generated signals and being responsive to said generated signals wherein the count provided by said counter selects the position sensor to be enabled and wherein said counter is incremented in accordance with said generated signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said counter is a binary counter and said control means further includes a binary decoder coupled to said binary counter for selectively enabling said logic gates in accordance with a decoded binary count whereby respective position sensors coupled to the enabled logic gates are enabled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 2 including a memory for storing information recorded on the cards as such information is read by said code sensors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said control means is coupled to said memory such that said memory is addressed in accoRdance with the state of said control means corresponding to an enabled position sensor whereby information recorded on the cards corresponding to the enabled position is read by said code sensors and is stored in said memory at a corresponding address.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 including an initialize sensor for sensing the initial presence of cards in the system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 7 including an initialize logic gate coupled to said initialize sensor for enabling said initialize sensor and for generating signals indicative of the presence a card in the system when said initialize sensor is enabled and senses the presence of a card in the system whereby a selected position sensor is enabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
The system according to claim 8 including control means coupled to said initialize logic gate and to said plurality of logic gates for activating said initialize logic gate and for sequentially activating said plurality of logic gates, said control means being coupled to and responsive to the generated signals from said initialize logic gate and the generated signals from said plurality of logic gates whereby a selected one of said plurality of position sensors is enabled in response to the generated signal from said initialize logic gate and whereby the remaining of said plurality of position sensors are sequentially enabled in response to the generated signals provided by said plurality of logic gates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system according to claim 9 wherein said control means includes a counter, said counter being coupled to an output of said initialize logic gate and to an output of said plurality of logic gates and being responsive to the respective generated signals wherein the count provided by said counter provides the selection of a position sensor to be enabled and wherein said counter is incremented in accordance with said generated signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 1 including at least one card-upside down sensor for sensing whether a card in the system is upside down and for generating a signal indicative thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein the cards include a notch, which notch is sensed by the card-upside down sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein the card-upside down sensor is positioned off-center with respect to the center of the card and wherein the cards include an off-center opening, which opening is sensed by the card-upside down sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 1 including at least one invalid-card sensor for sensing the presence of an invalid card in the system and generating a signal indicative thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein the cards include a transparent edge portion and wherein the invalid-card sensors are positioned in the system such that the detection of such transparent portions are sensed by the invalid-card sensors to determine the validity of such a card.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein coded information is recorded on the cards in the form of holes selectively positioned on such cards and wherein the code sensors comprise sensors for detecting the presence or non-presence of such holes whereby the coded information is read from such cards.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 16 wherein the code sensors include photodetectors in cooperative relationship with photo emitters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein coded information is recorded on the cards in the form of selectively positioned protruding members and wherein the code sensors comprise sensors for detecting the presence or non-presence of such protruding members whereby the coded information is read from such cards.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the code sensors comprise electro-mechanical switches.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of logic gates are AND gates, an input of each of said AND gates being coupled to a respective one of said position sensors and another input of each of said AND gates being coupled to said control means whereby said control means selectively enables said AND gates and the respective position sensors and whereby when an enabled position sensor is activated by the cards an output of the enabled AND gate provides said generated signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system according to claim 20 including an OR gate coupled to the outputs of each of said AND gates wherein generated signals are provided at the output of said OR gate in response to generated signals from the outputs of any of said AND gates, the output of said OR gate being coupled to and providing the generated signals for said control means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like members comprising: a. a first plurality of sensors positioned in a row on a substrate for sensing the position of such cards as such cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a second plurality of sensors positioned in a row on said substrate substantially perpendicular to the row of position sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; and c. a plurality of logic gates respectively coupled to said first plurality of sensors for sequentially enabling single ones of said first plurality of sensors exclusive of the others of said first plurality of sensors and for generating signals as such cards are moved over enabled position sensors whereby information recorded on such cards corresponding to the enabled position sensors is read by said code sensors.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like members comprising: a. a first plurality of sensors positioned in a row on a substrate for sensing the position of such cards as such cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a second plurality of sensors positioned in a row on said substrate substantially perpendicular to the row of position sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; and c. a plurality of logic gates respectively coupled to said first plurality of sensors for sequentially enabling single ones of said first plurality of sensors exclusive of the others of said first plurality of sensors and for generating signals as such cards are moved over enabled position sensors whereby information recorded on such cards corresponding to the enabled position sensors is read by said code sensors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 22 including an initialize sensor for sensing the initial presence of a card in the system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 23 including an initialize logic gate coupled to said initialize sensor for enabling said initialize sensor and for generating signals indicative of the presence of a card in the system as said card is sensed by the initialize sensor when such initialize sensor is enabled whereby a selected position sensor is enabled.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 22 including at least one card-upside down sensor positioned on the substrate for sensing whether cards in the system are upside down and for generating a signal indicative thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 22 including at least one invalid-card sensor positioned on the substrate for sensing the presence of invalid cards in the system and generating a signal indicative thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 26 wherein said cards comprise security badges and wherein said at least one invalid-card sensor provides means for detecting the presence of invalid security badges in the system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 22 including control means coupled to said plurality of logic gates for sequentially activating said plurality of logic gates, said control means being coupled to and responsive to said generated signals whereby said plurality of logic gates and said respective first plurality of sensors are sequentially enabled in response to said generated signals.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like numbers comprising: a. a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of such cards as the cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a plurality of code sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; c. a plurality of AND gates, each having at least two inputs and an output; d. an OR gate having a plurality of inputs and an output, the inputs of said OR gate being coupled to the outputs of said AND gates whereby a signal is generated from said OR gate when the inputs of any of said AND gates are all activated; e. means coupling one input of each of said AND gates to a respective position sensor; and f. control means coupled to another input of said AND gates for sequentially activating said AND gates, said means being coupled to the output of said OR gate and responsive to said generated signals whereby single ones of said pluRality of position sensors are enabled in sequence and exclusive of the others of said plurality of position sensors.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for reading information recorded on card-like numbers comprising: a. a plurality of position sensors for sensing the position of such cards as the cards are dynamically moved one at a time across such position sensors; b. a plurality of code sensors for sensing the information recorded on such cards; c. a plurality of AND gates, each having at least two inputs and an output; d. an OR gate having a plurality of inputs and an output, the inputs of said OR gate being coupled to the outputs of said AND gates whereby a signal is generated from said OR gate when the inputs of any of said AND gates are all activated; e. means coupling one input of each of said AND gates to a respective position sensor; and f. control means coupled to another input of said AND gates for sequentially activating said AND gates, said means being coupled to the output of said OR gate and responsive to said generated signals whereby single ones of said pluRality of position sensors are enabled in sequence and exclusive of the others of said plurality of position sensors.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 29 including an initialize sensor for sensing the initial presence of a card, said initialize sensor being coupled to said control means whereby the presence of a card sensed by said initial sensor activates said control means wherein one of said AND gates is activated to enable a first one of said position sensors, the remaining of said position sensors being selectively enabled in response to said generated signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 29 wherein said control means includes a counter, said counter being coupled to the inputs of said AND gates and being responsive to said generated signals wherein the count provided by said counter selects the position sensor to be enabled and wherein said counter is incremented in accordance with said generated signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |