Elapsed time recorder

Claim 1

An electronic elapsed time recording apparatus for use as an entrance or exit post, for printing and coding an entry time on a time card when operating as an entrance post, and for reading the entry time from the time card and computing and printing an elapsed time, between the entry time and an exit time, on the time card when operating as an exit post, said apparatus comprising: a reading means for reading a coded entry time from the time card, said reading means including, (a) a fiber sensor means for projecting light onto the time card and transmitting a received reflection representing the coded enter time from the time card, and (b) a mark reader means for receiving the received reflection of the coded entry time from said fiber sensor means, and output in said entry time; (c) a control means connected to said reading means for controlling the operation of said apparatus, including a clock circuit for outputting entry and exit times, and a computing circuit for computing the difference between said entry time received from said mark reader means and said exit time received from said clock circuit and outputting the result as an elapsed time; and a printing means, having a print head, for receiving said elapsed time from said computing circuit and for printing at least said elapsed time on the time card, and wherein said fiber sensor means is fixed to said print head.