Data input apparatus having bidirectional reader for inputting alternative messages

Claim 2

In a data entry system, a bi-directional machine code reader and a document cooperative therewith, said document including a data stripe having code manifesting means readable by said reader in opposite directions, said stripe including start of message and data message codes in a first portion thereof followed by the mirror image of said data message codes and said start of message code in a second portion thereof, said second portion also including a control code unique to said second portion to distinguish said second portion from said first portion, said stripe including an end of message code between said data codes and the mirror image thereof to define the boundary between said portions of said stripe, said reader including start of message and end of message code detector means and storage means controlled thereby to store codes from whichever of said portions is encountered first by the reading of said stripe, decoder means responsive to said storage means to detect said control code if present in the codes stored therein, and means responsive to the detection of said control code by said decoder means to generate an output signal to an external device, said output signal being indicative that said stripe has been read from the end thereof bearing said second portion.

Claim 3

A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system is an entry-exit recorder system, and said external device is an automatic door lock operated by said output signal.

Claim 4

A system in accordance with claim 1, further including a remote central station connected via an extension line to said reader, means in said reader responsive to the reading and storing operations in said reader to communicate the stored information to said central station, and logic means in said reader responsive to an answer message from said central station and to said output signal to operate said external device, whereby local information derived from the direction of read of said document acts as a modifier to said answer message for operating said external device only when said document is read in a predetermined direction.

Claim 5

A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said system is an entry-exit system, and said external device is a door lock operated by said output signal.

Claim 6

A system in accordance with claim 4 further including human sensible indicator means responsive to the storing of said information in said reader to provide a first sensible signal, and responsive to said answer message to provide a second sensible signal, whereby a person using said reader can be advised of the status of the operation of said system.

Claim 7

In combination, an entry-exit recorder card reader having a through slot for receiving a card and adapted to permit the card to be moved through the slot selectively and independently in either of two directions, a card shaped to be hand-held and while hand-held to be moved into, through and out of said slot selectively in either of two continuous motions from opposite directions, said card including data indicia, machine readable in said opposite directions, said indicia comprising at least two spacially related messages which differ from each other in content, said card reader including input means located to be responsive to said indicia to read said indicia of both messages when said card is moved through said slot in either of said opposite directions, said reader and said card including cooperative means responsive to the direction of motion of said card through said slot to accept one of said messages and reject the other, selectively in accordance with said direction of motion, and said reader including further means responsive to said cooperative means to yield an external signal characterizing the entry/exit significance of data read from said indicia in accordance with said direction of motion, whereby said signal is indicative of the direction in which said card has been moved through said slot and is available to operate an associated device in coordination with operation of said reader.

Claim 8

In combination, an entry-exit recorder card reader having a through slot for receiving a card and adapted to permit the card to be moved through the slot selectively and independently in either of two directions, a card shaped to be hand-held and while hand-held to be moved into, through and out of said slot selectively in either of two continuous motions from opposite directions, said card including data indicia, machine readable in said opposite directions, said indicia comprising at least two spacially related messages which differ from each other in content, said card reader including input means located to be responsive to said indicia to read said indicia of both messages when said card is moved through said slot in either of said opposite directions, said reader and said card including cooperative means responsive to the direction of motion of said card through said slot to accept one of said messages and reject the other, selectively in accordance with said direction of motion, and said reader including further means responsive to said cooperative means to yield an external signal characterizing the entry/exit significance of data read from said indicia in accordance with said direction of motion, whereby said signal is indicative of the direction in which said card has been moved through said slot and is available to operate an associated device in coordination with operation of said reader.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6, wherein said card has a magnetic stripe comprising said indicia, said card having a portion extending to one side of said stripe by which said card can be hand-held while the portion of said card bearing said stripe is moved through said slot in a position to be read by said reader.

Claim 10

A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein, said associated device is an automatic door lock.