An apparatus for reading the stored information on a card in a plurality of information positions that form a data matrix. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

摘要

An apparatus for reading the information stored on a card, in a plurality of information positions forming a data matrix, said matrix m having rows by n columns, each information position being characterized by one of two states, representing a binary zero or a binary one, which comprises guidance means for accepting said card and guiding it in a first direction along a predetermined path; a first linear grouping of m row data sensing elements extending in said first direction and located adjacent said guide means, for sensing the leading edge of said card as it is transported along said guide means, in said first direction, and in which the separation of said row data detection elements is related to the separation of the rows in said data matrix; a second linear grouping of n column data detection elements, perpendicular to said first grouping and located, with respect to said guide means, so that each of said column data detection elements detects the state of the information located correspondingly arranged in a row of said data matrix existing in said card, when said row passes over said second group; and circuit means coupled to said first and second groupings and permitting, when the leading edge of the card passes over each detection element in said first group, that the detection elements of said second group are read to provide indicative output signals, for each column of said data matrix existing in said card, of the binary value for each information position in the related row of said data matrix. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)