Holddown Device For Encoded Member Reader

Abstract

An encoded card reader is disclosed which includes a chamber for receiving an encoded card to be scanned by a reading mechanism, and a holddown mechanism including resiliently compressible rollers movable between a first position wherein the peripheral surfaces of the rollers facing the encoded card are shaped to permit insertion of the encoded card past the rollers, and solenoid means for rotating the rollers into a second position wherein other peripheral portions of the rollers resiliently engage and urge the card into a desired predetermined position for scanning.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to encoded member reading devices and more particularly to means for positioning an encoded member in a reading device.

Generally, in encoded card reading devices, such as those of the type wherein cards are provided with indicia in the form of a pattern of holes, it is, of course, necessary to position the card to be read accurately in order to obtain an accurate reading of the indicia. This is especially true where the card reading means is of the type utilizing a light energy source and light-responsive means for indicia detection purposes because of light dispersion effects. It was necessary in some prior art devices to employ relatively complicated and expensive mechanisms for accurately locating an encoded card and to ensure accurate repetitive operations of the mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for accurately locating an encoded member in an encoded card reading device.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention means for locating an encoded member is provided which includes a holder, roller means including a compressible peripheral member with an irregular configuration that is movable between a first position that permits the encoded member to be moved into the holder, and a second position wherein a portion of the peripheral member is rotatable into engagement with the encoded member to urge it resiliently into a desired position in the holder. Other objects and features will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an encoded member reader in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the reader of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a right end view of the reader of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the reader as viewed in FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the radiant energy source of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of the detector shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, but with parts broken and with the holddown wheel shown rotated, and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control for the holddown mechanism of the reader of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control for the reading mechanism of the reader of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, an encoded member reader 10 is shown including a housing or frame 12 having a pair of opposed housing portions or sides 11 and 13 connected together and to a pair of opposed end supports or plates 14 and 15 by a plurality of screws 16. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, a support or brace 9 is connected between plates 14 and 15. The sides 11 and 13 provide chambers or slots 17 and 17' adapted to receive a pair of encoded members or cards 18 and 18' (FIG. 1) such as credit cards, identification cards, or the like. The reader 10 includes a pair of like card holddown mechanisms, indicated generally at 19 and 19' , and an indicia reading or code detection mechanism, indicated generally at 20.

The holddown mechanism 19 includes a pair of axially spaced wheel members or rollers 22 and 23 mounted on a shaft 24 which is supported for rotation in bearing support members 26 and 27 that are shown integral with housing side 11. The rollers 22 and 23 each include a hub 28 secured to shaft 24 by fastening means shown as setscrews 30 in FIG. 1; only hub 28 of roller 23 is shown in the drawings (FIG. 3, 4 and 8). The shaft 24 is driven by a solenoid 33 through a link 35. The solenoid 33 is connected to a mounting plate 31 that, in turn, is connected between end supports 14 and 15 by screws 34. The link 35 is pivotally connected at one end to a solenoid armature 39 and at the other end to a collar 40 that is fixedly connected to the shaft 24 such as by a setscrew or the like to thereby effect concerted rotation of collar 40 and shaft 24. A solenoid bias spring 41 biases the rollers 22 and 23 through the link 35 to the "open" position, i.e., a position in which an encoded card 18 can be freely inserted past the rollers 22 and 23. Each of the rollers 22 and 23 includes a resilient peripheral member or tire 45 formed, for example, of a suitable rubber, such as of the neoprene or buna "N" type, and which may have, for example, a durometer reading of 50. Each tire has a chordal surface or flat portion, such as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 8 at 46, which permits complete insertion of a card 18 when the flat surface 46 is parallel to housing sides 11 and 13 and internal walls thereof, and the plane of card 18. When the solenoid 33 is energized after a card 18 is disposed in the slot 17, the arcuate portion of the tires 45 engages and urges the card downwardly against a bottom wall 50 (FIG. 1) of the housing side 13, which wall forms the bottom of the slot 17.

The holddown mechanism 19' is shown for illustration as being identical to the above-described mechanism 19 in construction and operation, except that it cooperates with the encoded card 18' , and corresponding parts are identified by like numerals but with prime marks associated therewith. In view of this, the description of the parts of only the holddown mechanism 19 is deemed necessary.

The holddown mechanism 19 is actuated by a switch 51 mounted to the housing 12 adjacent to the wall 50, such as by means of screws. As seen in FIG. 1, switch 51 is shown as a pushbutton switch having an actuating button 52 which is engaged by the bottom edge of card 18 when inserted into slot 17. Similarly, a switch 50' having an actuating button 52' adapted to be engaged by a card 18' is connected to operate holddown mechanism 19'. FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram, for purpose of illustration, in which a voltage supply source 53 is connected to energize the solenoids 33 and 33' upon the closing of switches 51 and 51' when manual switches 53a and 53b are closed.

As seen in FIG. 4, housing side 13 is provided with an opening which receives a spring 54 that is engaged and compressed by the card 18 when the card is inserted into slot 17 and when the holddown mechanism 19 is operated. Spring 54 urges the card upwardly when the holddown mechanism is deenergized to release the card and permit easy manual retraction thereof. A spring 54' for card 18' is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. Housing side 13 also includes opposed integral end flanges 13' and 13" parallel to each.

The reading mechanism 20 is adapted to "read" or convert the code on both of the cards 18 and 18' into electrical signals, such as digital signals which contain information corresponding to the indicia on the cards. Each of the cards 18 and 18' will be assumed to have a code or indicia consisting of a predetermined pattern of marks or holes h (FIG. 1). Such holes or indicia may be thin areas or other areas which readily transmit the radiant energy of source 55, at least more readily than other areas of the card. The cards 18 and 18' may be a suitable plastic material, such as a plurality of plastic layers with the indicia such as holes in one or all layers of the card.

Mechanism 20 is shown including a source 55 of radiant energy and a detector or sensor 56 responsive to the radiant energy of source 55, mounted for movement on opposite sides of the housing 12. While various types of radiant energy sources can be used, the source 55, also seen in FIG. 6, is shown for illustration as including a diode light source member 57 secured in a slot of a support member 59 and having four spaced individual sources 58. Diode light source elements 58 are well known and commercially available. For example, one type is a gallium arsenide diode producing a noncoherent light in the infrared or near infrared portion of the light spectrum. The support 59 may be made of any suitable material, for example, of a suitable plastic material. Support 59 is provided with a threaded hole 60 which receives a rotatable screw 61 (FIG. 1). The detector or sensor 56, as seen in FIG. 7, is shown including a light-responsive member 62 having four sensors or photodiodes for example, silicon photocells 63 responsive to the light from light sources 58. The member 62 is secured in a support 64 made, for example, of plastic and provided with a threaded hole 65 which receives a rotatable screw 66 (FIG. 2). The support 59 of the source 55 and the support 64 of the detector 56 are guided for reciprocal movement by the walls of openings or slots 67 (FIG. 1) and 68 (FIG. 5) provided in the housing sides 11 and 13, respectively. The slots 67 and 68 prevent rotation of the source 55 and detector 56 so that they move linearly along the slots in response to rotation of the screws.

The diode light source 55 is adapted to be energized by a suitable control circuit 87, as seen in FIG. 10, which may include, for example, a source of direct current for energizing each of the light sources 58. The photocells 63 of detector 55 are connected in a circuit such as a signal utilization circuit 92 which may include a circuit for producing signals, for example, signals responsive to changes in the resistance of the photodiodes 63 due to the light from sources 58 intermittently reaching the photodiodes during scanning of the encoded cards 18 and 18' .

When the cards 18 and 18' are locked in position by the holddown mechanisms 19 and 19' , the patterns of encoded holes are accurately positioned relative to the source 55 and detector 56 within the openings 67 and 68. The source 55 and detector 56 are, of course, aligned with respect to each other such that as they move past an encoded card, light from a light source element 58, as the source passes a hole in the card, strikes the photodiode 63 opposite that source element, and a pulse is produced in the utilization circuit 92. The indicia shown for illustration in FIG. 1 includes holes at four different vertical levels spaced apart the same distance as the light sources 58 and the photodiodes 63 so that there is a source and diode for each level.

An electric motor 69 secured to end plate 15 by screws 70 effects rotation of screws 61 and 66 through a gear mechanism 71. Motor 69 has a shaft 72, as seen in FIG. 3, to which is connected a drive gear 73 coupled to drive a relatively large gear 74 that is connected for rotation in a bearing 75 in an end portion of housing side 13 (FIG. 5). Gear 74 is engaged with a gear 76 fixed to the right end of screw 66, as viewed in FIG. 1. The gear 76 is engaged with a gear 77 fixed to screw 61. The left ends of screws 61 and 66, as viewed in FIG. 2, are provided with bearings 78 and 79 in the left end flange 13' . The right ends of the screws are provided with bearings 80 and 81 in the right flange 13" . In this way, the motor 69 rotates the screws 61 and 66 in synchronism.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a rod 83 extends parallel to the screws 61 and 66 and is mounted for limited lateral or axial movement in a pair of openings 82 and 84 in the ends of the housing flanges 13' and 13". A pair of abutments 85 and 86 are fixed to rod 83 adjacent the opposite ends thereof and in the path of movement of the light detector 56. Also connected to rod 83 is a switch operating member 88 having an inclined surface at 89, as seen in FIG. 5, which is engaged by a resiliently urged switch actuating arm 90 of a motor winding reversing, pushbutton switch 91. Whenever the detector 56 engages and moves one of the abutments 85 or 86 a predetermined distance, the rod 83 and member 88 also move to close or open switch 91 and effect a reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor 69. The motor 69, as seen in FIG. 10, is connected to reversing switch 91 and a voltage source 93 through a switch 94 shown for purpose of illustration as a manual switch.

In operation, when an encoded card 18 is manually inserted into chamber 17, it readily passes the flat surface 46 of the holddown rollers 22 and 23 and actuates switch 51 to effect energization of solenoid 33 to actuate holddown mechanism 19. Rollers 22 and 23 of mechanism 19 are rotated in a direction to engage and urge the card 18 downwardly, the round portion of the tires 45 resiliently urging the card against the surface 50 to thereby firmly hold or lock the card in place. FIG. 4 illustrates the card 18 inserted into slot 17 just before actuation of the solenoid 33. FIG. 8 illustrates the card 18 in its locked position after energization of solenoid 33' . When a second card 18' is inserted into chamber 17' the holddown mechanism 19' operates in similar manner to lock card 18' in its predetermined location.

With the encoded cards 18 and 18' accurately located in the chambers 17 and 17' , the switch 94 (FIG. 10) is operated to start the motor 69 so that the rotor rotates in one direction to rotate screws 61 and 66 through gear mechanism 71. The screws 61 and 66 are suitably threaded to move the light source 55 and detector 56 along the slots 67 and 68 in a direction which is dependent upon the direction of motor rotation, as determined by the condition or position of the motor reversing switch 91. As the light source 55 and detector 56 move past the cards, pulses are produced in circuit 92 (FIG. 10) for example, each time the light from a source 58 strikes a photocell 63 a pulse may be produced in circuit 92. A series of signals corresponding to the particular code on encoded cards 18 and 18' may be transmitted to a suitable signal utilization device for storage, decoding, printing or the like, as desired.

After the source 55 and detector 56 pass by both cards 18 and 18' , one of the abutments 85 or 86 (FIG. 2) is engaged and moved by detector 56 to actuate the reversing switch 91 and thereby return the light source 55 and detector 56 to the starting end of the reader 10. The holddown mechanism 19 and 19' as well as the motor 69 may be then deenergized such as by switch 94. The springs 54 and 54' (FIG. 1) then move the cards upwardly to facilitate removal thereof from the reader 10 by the operator. By making the outer surface of the rollers 22 and 23 irregular or asymmetric with respect to the axis of rotation of the rollers, the axis of rotation can be fixed as shown in the drawings. Because of the axis of rotation of the rollers is fixed, the holddown mechanism is mechanically sturdy, accurate for repetitive operations, and relatively simple and economical in construction.

Because the cards are accurately located by the holddown mechanisms 19 and 19' , and since the diode light sources 58 provide a narrow beam of light generally about the size of the code holes h, erroneous signals, due to extraneous light, is substantially obviated and without complicated and extensive card holder or enclosure means.

In view of the above, it is seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.

As various changes could be made in the above-described constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holddown mechanism for a generally flat encoded card comprising housing means for receiving said card and having a sidewall and a bottom wall adapted to be engaged respectively by one major surface and a bottom edge of said card, at least one roller means for alternatively permitting insertion of an encoded card between said roller means and said sidewall and urging an inserted card against said bottom wall and against said sidewall, means defining an axis of rotation for said roller, said axis of rotation being parallel to said sidewall and to said bottom wall and fixed with respect to said housing means, said roller means including a resiliently compressible peripheral member having in its noncompressed state, a periphery which is asymmetric with respect to said axis, said roller being rotatable through a limited arc between a first position wherein said peripheral member is spaced from said side wall a distance to permit insertion of an encoded card, and a second position wherein said periphery extends closer to said sidewall for engaging an inserted card, and means for rotating said roller means between said first and second positions for engaging the inserted card and urging said card against said bottom wall and said sidewall, said means for rotating said roller means including a coupling element operatively connected to said roller means, solenoid means having a linearly movable plunger, pivotal connection means coupling said element to said plunger to effect rotation of said roller means in response to linear movement of said plunger and means biasing said roller means to said first position when said solenoid is not activated.

2. The holddown mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said peripheral member is generally cylindrical about said axis, and includes a flat surface on the convex surface of the cylindrical peripheral member, said flat surface being a right chordal section of said cylinder, said flat surface facing said card when said roller means is in said first position and said cylindrical surface engaging said card when said roller means is in said second position.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said roller means includes electrically operable means for rotating said roller means, electrical circuit means for energizing said electrically operable means, and switch means in said circuit means, said switch means being operable by insertion of said card in said housing means.

4. The device according to claim 3 including means biasing said roller means into said first position when said circuit means is inactivated, for releasing said card from said housing means.

5. The holddown mechanism according to claim 8 including means, independent of said roller means, for biasing said card away from said bottom wall.