Optical card read/write scanning system

An optical card is oscillated in an X direction along a curved path by a voice coil driver, and an optical read/write module is translated in the Y direction to read recorded information on the card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the field of document reading apparatus or systems, it has been common 
practice to utilize light or optic-related means for reading or scanning 
data or machine readable information. A document such as a card or sheet 
of paper is driven or caused to be moved in a path past a reading station 
and the reading device is moved across the card or paper for identifying 
the data or information. In the case of a credit card which includes a 
stripe of information thereon, the reader is moved along the stripe and 
the essential data is transferred to initiate operation of an apparatus or 
system. 
Representative documentation in the field of reading information from cards 
or other record media includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,039,406, issued to E. L. 
Greensfelder on May 5, 1936, which discloses a scanning unit having an 
exciting lamp and a light sensitive cell in fixed angular relation to each 
other. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,826, issued to I. Browning on Dec. 22, 1970, discloses 
apparatus for reading rows of information having different light 
reflectivities by directing light continuously in scanning manner and 
receiving reflected light in a photosensitive signal converting device. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,246, issued to J. H. Lemelson on Jan. 12, 1971, 
discloses a document line reading device wherein light is directed onto 
the document and reflected back to a rotating apertured disk and also to 
light sensing means. The document is driven and controlled by detection 
means to properly position a selected line of characters in relation to 
the reading device. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,557, issued to J. M. Zappia on Aug. 17, 1971, discloses 
a system for scanning transversely extending lines of data on a document 
which includes a movable scanning head, means for moving the document 
relative to the head, and optical control means for finding a line of data 
to be scanned and stopping the movement. The system also includes a light 
source, a light responsive device, optical projecting means, an output 
device and circuit means for connecting the devices. 
.U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,730, issued to R. F. Higginbotham et al. on Feb. 1, 
1972, discloses an optical reader system having a scanning head, means for 
transversely moving the head relative to a document, drive means for 
moving the document longitudinally relative to the scanning head and 
optical control means for detecting a line of data and for stopping 
document movement. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,078, issued to J. H. Lemelson on Jan. 9, 1973, 
discloses document scanning apparatus having a scanning transducer 
operable to be moved in a plurality of directions with respect to the 
document and transducer control means which is responsive to marks or 
signals recorded on the document. 
And, U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,062, issued to J. J. Reilly on May 1, 1973, 
discloses an optical card reader drive wherein means are provided to move 
an aligned light source and photodetector unit along the card to scan 
across the machine readable data field thereon. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to means for reading data or information from 
a card or other record media. More particularly, the present invention 
relates to means for reading an optical card supported at one end of an 
arm and wherein the card is moved in an oscillating manner in the X 
direction relative to a card reader station. The reader is moved in the Y 
direction to cover the reading area of the card, which area typically 
consists of or is defined by a stripe or like field of data along the 
length of the card. A voice-coil driver moves the card in the oscillating 
manner in the X direction by causing the card holder to pivot about an 
axis at the end of the arm distal from the card. 
In view of the above discussion, the principal object of the present 
invention is to provide means for moving a machine-readable card past a 
reading station. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card holder which 
is moved in an oscillating manner past a reading station. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide means for 
moving the reading station relative to the reading area on the card. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide voice coil drive 
means for moving the card holder in oscillating motion. 
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become 
apparent and fully understood from a reading of the following description 
taken together with the annexed drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prototype apparatus, generally 
designated as 10, for reading an optical card 12 which is positioned in, 
and supported from, a card holder 14. The card holder 14 is formed in an 
arcuate arrangement, as better illustrated in FIG. 2, and supported at the 
edges thereof by upstanding members 16 and 18 (FIG. 3) of the card holder, 
which members provide appropriate slots or the like for holding the edges 
of the card 12. The card holder 14 is driven in oscillating or 
back-and-forth motion in the X direction by means of a swing-arm 
mechanism. The swing-arm mechanism consists of an extension arm 20, (which 
arm supports the card holder 14), an axis or pivot point 22, and a drive 
motor or drive means in the form of a voice-coil mechanism 24, wherein the 
voice coil moves between the pole pieces, and acts as a direct current 
motor for a small portion of the arcuate travel. The swing-arm mechanism 
is a rotary-type voice-coil positioner of the type used in a magnetic disk 
drive unit to position magnetic heads over a magnetic disk. 
The means for reading the optical card 12 along a stripe 28 of lines of 
recorded information (FIG. 3) is provided by a module 26 which includes 
the ability to read or write data or information in machine-oriented form. 
The read/write module 26 is a TAOHS-LC, as manufactured by the Olympus 
Company of Japan, and is adjustably supported for use in the present 
invention. A mechanical stop 30 is provided at each end of the arc of the 
card holder to prevent overtravel thereof. A pair of optical limit sensors 
32 (FIG. 2), in the form of transmissive type optical position sensors and 
available from General Electric Company, Syracuse, N.Y. are attached to 
the base of the apparatus 10 for detecting the position of the card holder 
14 at the ends of its swinging path. Such limit sensors 32 are supported 
in adjustable manner relative to the swing of the card holder 14. 
In the operation of the mechanism, the optical card 12 is driven in an 
oscillating motion through the extension arm 20 which is attached to the 
voice coil drive motor 24. The integrated read/write module 26 is 
positioned in relation to the optical data stripe 28 so that the desired 
reading area is in the optical path. The positioning of the read/write 
head of the module 26 is controlled by suitable servo electronics as 
required by the optical data layout on the stripe 28. A laser light beam 
produced by the module 26 is directed to the stripe 28 and is reflected 
back to the module where the data is detected and then passed on to the 
read/write section. 
It should be here noted that the swing-arm mechanism consisting of the arm 
20, the pivot 22, and the drive motor 24 is derived from a Winchester 
magnetic disk drive and may be obtained from Magnetic Peripherals Inc., 
Minneapolis, Minn. Also it is noted that the optical card 12 is available 
from Drexler Corporation, Mountain View, Calif. 
A modification of the structure which may be utilized in the present 
invention is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4 and includes a Y-axis 
or track-to-track stepper motor 40 driving a lead screw 42. The lead screw 
42 is operably connected with an integrated optical read/write module 44 
which is caused to be moved across the optical data stripe 46 of the 
optical card 48. The card holder 50 of the modification is pivoted on an 
axis 52 and is caused to be oscillated thereabout by a voice coil type 
drive motor 54. Another modification (not shown) of the invention includes 
the substitution of a continuous-type position sensor in place of the 
optical limit sensors 32, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The continuous-type 
sensor enables more precise control of the X direction motion for 
applications requiring better accuracy than is provided by limit-type 
sensors. 
It is thus seen that herein shown and described is an optical card 
read/write scanning system wherein the optical card is moved in an 
oscillating manner by means of a voice-coil driving a swing arm mechanism. 
The apparatus and arrangement enables the accomplishment of the objects 
and advantages mentioned above, and while a preferred embodiment and a 
modification of the invention have been disclosed herein, other variations 
thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that all 
such variations not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention 
hereof are to be construed in accordance with the following claims.