Adaptable mark/hole sensing arrangement for card reader apparatus
First Claim
1. In a card reader adapted to operate in a plurality of reading modes for reading information encoded on cards transported therethrough, a reading assembly comprising:
- a. read means for generating first data signals in optical form representative of data encoded on cards, and having a plurality of modes of operation;
b. transducer means for converting said first data signals to an electrical form, said transducer means having a plurality of modes of operation corresponding to said modes of operation of said read means, said transducer means having a common output circuit with a single output; and
c. mode selection means operable on both said read means and said transducer means to provide for at least three different modes of reading.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Card reader apparatus having efficient means for reading information carried by paper cards or the like in the form of punched holes, marks, or both holes and marks. A dual LED light source configuration cooperates with a single light sensitive element to provide for sensing of light transmitted through punched holes in cards transported through the reader, or light reflected from the transported cards. The light sensitive element is incorporated into a simple signal processing circuit which is enabled to generate like output signals corresponding to the sensing of either marks or holes. A novel switching arrangement modifies both the energization of the light source arrangement and the polarity of the electrical supply connected to the processing circuit so as to enable utilization of the simple processing circuit in the operation of the card reader in any one of the reading modes.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a card reader adapted to operate in a plurality of reading modes for reading information encoded on cards transported therethrough, a reading assembly comprising:
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a. read means for generating first data signals in optical form representative of data encoded on cards, and having a plurality of modes of operation; b. transducer means for converting said first data signals to an electrical form, said transducer means having a plurality of modes of operation corresponding to said modes of operation of said read means, said transducer means having a common output circuit with a single output; and c. mode selection means operable on both said read means and said transducer means to provide for at least three different modes of reading. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for reading information from cards and transmitting said information to an external device, comprising:
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a. a card reader adapted to transport cards therethrough, reading means for reading information encoded on said transport cards, and read mode select means for determining the mode of reading performed by said reading means; b. a central processing unit adapted to receive information and to transmit information; c. interface means for interfacing between said card reader and said central processing unit, whereby data can be transmitted between said card reader and said central processing unit; d. transmission means for transmitting data between said interface means and said central processing unit; and
,e. wherein said read mode select means comprises means for adjusting the operation of said card reader so that said card reader may operate in a mode of reading selected from the modes consisting of reading holes only, reading marks only, and reading both marks and holes, and said reading means comprises a plurality of output signal circuits, each of said circuits being commonly operative to provide output signals in each of said modes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. In a card reader for reading cards encoded with data in the form of holes, marks, or holes and marks, and having read means with a plurality of light sources for generating light signals representative of said encoded data and a signal generating circuit for generating electrical signals representative of said light signals, a method for reading holes, marks, and holes and marks, comprising:
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a. energizing a portion of said signal generating circuit with a first polarity and energizing a first group of said light sources, thereby to read holes only in said cards; b. energizing said portion of said signal generating circuit with a second polarity and energizing a second group of said light sources, thereby to read holes and marks in said cards; and c. energizing said portion of said signal generating circuit with said second polarity and energizing both said groups of said light sources, thereby to read marks only in said cards. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. In a card reader for reading in the transmissive mode, the reflective mode, or concurrently in both the transmissive and reflective modes, a light signal transducer circuit, comprising:
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a. a single transducer, for transforming light signals into electrical signals; b. a single signal processing circuit, for processing said electrical signals to provide data signals; c. power means; and d. mode selection means for selecting the operating mode of said reader, said mode selection means including correcting circuitry, for applying power to said single signal processing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification