US3791516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Batch ticket reader
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-10
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-01-10
Abstract
Abstract Ticket reading apparatus is disclosed having a moving grooved belt for transporting tickets fed singly thereto by separator rollers controlled by a clutch and brake in relation to information recording speed. Reading is accomplished by at least two detectors spaced to read information along the length of the ticket regardless of end-for-end orientation. Each detector comprises a light source and photocell detector having a narrow rhombic aperture for optimum reading of tickets oriented longitudinally on the belt or only slightly skewed. There is also provided a ticket routing gate assembly operated by a switch enabled by the information recorder to divert tickets to one of two routes and to stack tickets which have not been properly read.
Inventors
- 👤 H Tramposch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/02; G06K13/07; G06K13/073; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/941
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
Batch ticket processing apparatus, comprising in combination: A. a reading station having means for reading information encoded on tickets to be processed; B. feed means for moving tickets singly in a path adjacent said reading station, 1. including guide means for substantially aligning the ticket before it passes said reading station; C. recording and control means electrically connected to said reading means; D. switch means positioned adjacent said feed path for actuation by a ticket, 1. said switch means spaced downstream from said reading station along said feed path, 2. said switch means being electrically connected to said recording and control means and selectively enabled thereby; E. ticket routing gate means interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes, 1. said gate means being electrically energized through said switch means upon the coincidence of enablement by said recording and control means and actuation by a ticket, whereby a ticket is diverted to one of said two routes depending upon whether or not information is accurately read therefrom as determined and controlled by said recording and control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
Batch ticket processing apparatus, comprising in combination: A. a reading station having means for reading information encoded on tickets to be processed; B. feed means for moving tickets singly in a path adjacent said reading station, 1. including guide means for substantially aligning the ticket before it passes said reading station; C. recording and control means electrically connected to said reading means; D. switch means positioned adjacent said feed path for actuation by a ticket, 1. said switch means spaced downstream from said reading station along said feed path, 2. said switch means being electrically connected to said recording and control means and selectively enabled thereby; E. ticket routing gate means interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes, 1. said gate means being electrically energized through said switch means upon the coincidence of enablement by said recording and control means and actuation by a ticket, whereby a ticket is diverted to one of said two routes depending upon whether or not information is accurately read therefrom as determined and controlled by said recording and control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
said switch means being electrically connected to said recording and control means and selectively enabled thereby; E. ticket routing gate means interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
said switch means being electrically connected to said recording and control means and selectively enabled thereby; E. ticket routing gate means interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reading station comprises at least two light sources and at least two photocell pickup devices for receiving receiving reflected light from a ticket passing by said light soruces, each photocell device being associated with one of the light sources, said light sources and their respective photocell devices being separated by a light shield member mounted on said reading station and closely spaced to said ticket path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
a solenoid assembly connected to said gate member for moving said gate member toward and away from said belt, a. said solenoid being connected to and actuated by said switch means, whereby information on a ticket may be detected by either of said detectors regardless of its end-for-end orientation and said switch means is enabled by information recorded from the ticket at said recording and control means and said switch is operated by the ticket to actuate said gate solenoid assembly to route the ticKet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
a solenoid assembly connected to said gate member for moving said gate member toward and away from said belt, a. said solenoid being connected to and actuated by said switch means, whereby information on a ticket may be detected by either of said detectors regardless of its end-for-end orientation and said switch means is enabled by information recorded from the ticket at said recording and control means and said switch is operated by the ticket to actuate said gate solenoid assembly to route the ticKet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
said switch means being electrically connected to and enabled by said recording and control means, and E. a ticket routing gate assembly interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes, comprising,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
said switch means being electrically connected to and enabled by said recording and control means, and E. a ticket routing gate assembly interposed in said feed path and spaced downstream from said switch means for diverting tickets to one of two routes, comprising,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
guides along said belt to urge the tickets into a substantially longitudinal orientation on said belt; C. recording and control means electrically connected to said reading station; D. switch means having an actuator arm extending into said groove of said belt,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
guides along said belt to urge the tickets into a substantially longitudinal orientation on said belt; C. recording and control means electrically connected to said reading station; D. switch means having an actuator arm extending into said groove of said belt,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
Ticket processing apparatUs as defined in claim 1 wherein said reading station comprises at least one light source and photocell detector device as detector means for determining the configuration of light reflected from a ticket, including an aperture between the ticket and said photocell detector device, said aperture being of rhombic configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
102 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means comprises separator roller means for feeding tickets one at a time from a stack, said separator roller means being driven by a shaft having a clutch and brake assembly connected thereto, and wherein there is provided control means comprising a ticket detector adjacent said separator roller means and electrically connected to said recording and control means to signal the beginning and end of a ticket, said clutch and brake assembly being electrically connected to and operable by said recording and control means in response to signals from said ticket detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said feed means includes a ticket carrying belt having at least one groove in the direction of belt travel on the ticket carrying side thereof and said ticket routing gate means comprises a pivotable member having at least one extended portion normally positioned in said belt groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reading station is provided with at least two light sources and two detectors in adjacent positions and spaced apart in relation to information positioned on the tickets, each detector being adapted for separate detection of information, whereby ticket information may be read regardless of end-for-end ticket orientation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ticket routing gate means comprises a pivotable ticket gate member normally held closely adjacent to the feed path of said feed means, solenoid means connected to said gate member for pivotably moving said gate member away from the feed path, said solenoid means being electrically connected to and operable by said swtich means, and ticket stacking means adjacent said gate member for stacking tickets in the same orientation as the tickets were moved by said feed means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
Batch ticket processing apparatus comprising in combination: A. a reading station having at least two detectors in adjacent relation for separate detection of information on tickets to be processed; B. feed means for moving tickets singly in a path adjacent said reading station, including
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Batch ticket processing apparatus comprising in combination: A. a reading station having at least two detectors in adjacent relation for separate detection of information on tickets to be processed; B. feed means for moving tickets singly in a path adjacent said reading station, including
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said reading station comprises at least two light sources and photocell detectors, said light sources and detectors being positioned to reflect light from the ticket and there are provided apertures through which the reflected light is passed to said detectors, said apertures being of a narrow rhombic configuration, the shortest transverse dimension thereof being about the width of bar information on the ticket to be read.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein there is further provided a lens between the ticket and each detector for magnification of the reflected image from the ticket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein there is provided ticket stacking means adjacent said gate member, comprising rotating stacking wheel means for receiving tickets when said gate member is not moved away from said belt by said solenoid, and a ticket stack guideway whereby tickets not properly read at said reading station will be routed to and stacked by said stacking means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
Ticket processing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said feed means includes a separator roller for initiating the single feeding of tickets onto said belt, said separator roller being driven through a brake and clutch assembly, said brake and clutch assembly being controlled by electrical connection to said recording and control means, whereby tickets are fed to said belt at a rate in response to the rate of information recorded by said recording and control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |