STORING AND READING ALPHA-NUMERIC CHARACTERS

Abstract: A laminated card-like structure has at least two layers of material (10, 11). One of these layers (11) is formed of an optically opaque material. The other layer (10) and additonal layers are optically transparent. A series of grouped apertures (13) are present in the optically opaque material (11), the apertures in each group being located to coincide with respective segments of a conventional seven-segment representation used to display digits. By obscuring (for example, by marking on the top transparent layer (10)) selected apertures in each group, the card-like structure may be encoded with alpha-numeric characters. A reader for such card-like structures has a light source (40) which illuminates a planar array (41) of light-responsive elements (45), the light-responsive elements (45) being located in positions corresponding to the positions of the apertures (13) in the card-like structure. When a card-like structure is inserted between the light source (40) and the array (41), the outputs or states of the light responsive elements (45) indicate the coding of the card-like structure. The outputs or states of the elements (45) may be used, for example, to automatically dial telephone numbers. The card-like structure and reader may be combined in an automatically dialling "teledex" apparatus.

Description: TITLE: "STORING AND READING . ALPHA-NUMERIC CHARACTERS" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns the storage of information which can be expressed in a short series of alpha-numeric characters, such as telephone numbers, account numbers (including identification in alphabetic characters)/ and the like, and the reading and utilisation of such information. More particularly, the present invention provides a laminated structure or card on which information expressed in numbers and/or alphabetic characters may be recorded, and an optical/electronic reader of the alpha-numeric characters stored on the card. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for the recording of telephone numbers and the use of a stored telephone number to automatically dial that number. BACKGROUND ART The need to have ready access to digital information, such as a telephone number, has long been recognised. Thus telephone numbers have been featured for many years, together with addresses, on business cards that are used in all types of commercial undertakings, and printed message pads often have a specific location indicated for the inclusion of a telephone number. The businessman, and even the mother at home, often stores telephone numbers on cards which are mounted for easy access in manually operated equipments that are marketed under the trade mark "Teledex" or "Rotadex". In another field, department stores, banks, clubs and the like often issue cards to account holders or members, upon which an account number or a membership number is printed. That number, which often includes alphabetic characters, is then -punched into a cash register, or manually transcribed, when a purchase or other financial transaction is made by the holder of the card at the department store, bank, club or the like. The significant feature of these prior art forms of storage of digital and alphabetic information is that for the processing of the stored data, the recorded number and/or series of alphabetic characters has to be re¬ established, by dialling it (in the case of a telephone call), by pressing character keys, or by manual transcription. DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION One objective of the present invention is to provide a generally planar structure upon which information in the form of a series of alpha-numeric characters may be recorded, for automatic processing by optical readers. Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an optical reader for use with such a planar structure. The first of these objectives is achieved by forming a card or the like from at least two laminates, one of which is optically transparent and the other of which is optically opaque. A series of grouped apertures are punched into the optically opaque laminate, the apertures in each group being positioned to coincide with at least part of respective segments of the conventional seven- segment representation used to display digits. With such a card, the digital information is stored by restricting the transmission of light through a number of the apertures of each group by a step which is equivalent to forming the required digit or letter on top of the apertures. Any suitable means (including a pencil or ball-point pen) can be used for this purpose. Such a laminated card, can be of any required shape or dimension, commensurate with the abili-ty to be used in conjunction with an appropriate reader. The card may be constructed as a complete item (such as a credit card or as a business card) or it may " be an insert for a credit card, business card, "Teledex" or "Rotadex" card, or a message pad- or the like. To read a card of this type, an optical reader may be constructed which comprises a light source and an optical sensor, so positioned that when the laminated card is inserted between the light source and the sensor, the light which passes through the non-covered apertures of the laminated card and is received by light-responsive elements in the sensor, produces a coded output from the elements in the sensor. The coded output is a record of the alpha-numeric characters stored on the laminated card. This output from the elements of the sensor can be used in any appropriate manner. Thus, according to the present invention, a card-like structure for storing information expressed in alpha¬ numeric characters comprises at least two layers of material laminated to form the structure, characterised in that: a) one of the layers is formed from an optically opaque medium and has therein a series of grouped apertures, the apertures of each group in the series being positione to coincide with respective segments of a seven-segment representation used to display digits; and b) the or each other layer is optically transparent. The layers may be of any suitable material, including cellulosic compositions and plastics materials, and the optically opaque layer may, if desired, be a metallic foil material. For convenience, such a laminated structure will be referred to in this specification as a "laminated card". Also according to the present invention, apparatus for reading the information stored on a laminated card of the type defined above comprises a source of light and a plurality of light-responsive elements, characterised in that: a) the source of light extends over an area which is at least sufficient to cover the apertures of the laminated card; b) the light-responsive elements are formed as a planar array; c) the array of light-responsive elements is positioned adjacent to, but spaced from, the source of light, the space between the source of light and the array of elements being sufficient to enable a laminated card to be inserted in the said space; d) the light-responsive elements are positioned so. that each element is adapted to receive light transmitted through a respective aperture of a laminated card inserted into said space; and e) each light-responsive element is adapted to provide an output signal in response to light incident thereon. Depending on the sensitivity of the light-responsive elements and the nature of any switching circuiting associated with the reader (see later in this specification) , the light source may be an opening to daylight or to artificial ambient light, or it may be a dedicated light source. One example of a dedicated light source is a light-emitting element contained within an elongate container having a planar base, with the planar base having a series of grouped apertures therein, said apertures corresponding in position to the apertures in the optically opaque layer of the laminated card. Such a reader can conveniently be connected to a telephone dialling circuit, or an account searching system. To illustrate the present invention and some of its applications, embodiments of the laminated card and the card reader will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, part cut¬ away, of a laminated card constructed as a strip for use in, for example, an automatic-dialling "Teledex" apparatus. Figure 2(a) shows a series of grouped apertures, with an indication of the way in which apertures of each group can be covered to represent a digit. Figure 2(b) is a chart showing how all the characters of a standard typewriter or telex key-board may be represented using a seven-segment group of apertures. Figure 3 depicts, schematically, a business card or account card encoded with the telephone number or the account number of the person or organisation using the card. Figure 4 illustrates an electronic reader using a dedicated light source, constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 shows the construction of parts of the reader illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 illustrates how the laminated card and reader of the present invention may be used to construct an automatically-dialling "Teledex" apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The laminated card structure illustrated in Figure 1 is a strip construction formed from a first layer 10 of an optically transparent material (such as perspex or any suitable plastics material), bonded to a second layer 11 of an optically opaque material. Adjacent regions 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, ... of the layer 11 each contain a group of seven apertures 13. Each group of apertures 13 is arranged so that each aperture lies on one of the seven segments used, conventionally, for display of digital information (see also Figure 2(a)). In Figure 1, the apertures 13 are shown as rectangular in cross-section. However, they may be of any suitable cross-sectional shape. The apertures 13 are punched into layer 11 before the laminated card is formed as a bonded item. Thus the laminated structure of Figure 1 is a bonded sheet formed with a plurality of grouped, optically transparent, apertures. As shown in Figure 2(a), the transparent layer 10 may be marked with, for example, a pen, pencil, crayon, chinograph pencil, ball-point pen, or the like, to cover a plurality of apertures in each group to form a digit at each grouping of apertures. By marking the laminated card thus, not only is the desired digital information stored on the card, but the transmission of light through selected apertures in each group has been prevented. This prevention of light transmission enables the information recorded on the card to be processed. Before discussing how the recorded digital information on each laminated card may be processed, however, the following features of the laminated card should be noted: 1. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the laminated card, and the relative thicknesses of each layer do not necessarily represent the relative thicknesses used in practice. 2. If required, the apertures 13 may be filled with a transparent medium, which is also used to provide a third lamination for the card, in the form of a transparent film on top of layer 11. With such an arrangement., the blanking off of apertures may be effected by marking either the exposed surface ' of layer 10 or the exposed surface of the film on top of layer 11. 3. If required, the top surface of the laminated card may be lightly marked with guide lines, to assist in the formation of alpha-numeric characters by a person using the laminated card, and to ensure that a reasonably standard character format is adopted by users of this type of laminated card. 4. Conveniently, the punched layer 11 may be sandwiched between two optically transparent layers. 5. As indicated earlier in this specification, the optically opaque layer may be a metallic foil or film. 6. The optically opaque layer 11 need not be a material which is 100 percent opaque. All that * is necessary is for the material of layer 11 to reduce the intensity of light transmitted through it to a small fraction of the incident light, so that an optical sensor will not respond to light transmitted through the "optically opaque" layer. 7. Normally, a strip of laminated card (or a carrier of a strip of laminated card) will be provided with one or more notches 14 (see Figure 1), or similar locating means, in at least one location on an edge of the strip (or carrier) , for cooperation with a corresponding projection or the like in a reader of the strip, to ensure correct location of the strip in the reader, and thus to prevent accidental mis-reading of the alpha-numeric characters that are recorded on the strip. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) have been provided to illustrate the way in which digits (Figures 2(a)) and all alpha-numeric characters (Figure 2(b)) may be recorded on a laminated card. Although an upright seven-segment representation is shown in these figures, it will be appreciated that an inclined representation, which is also used widely, may be adopted. The important point to note is that the digital or letter representation used on the laminated card must be compatible with ■ the character representations that can be interpreted by a reader of the encoded card. By way of example only, a business card (or account card) 36 is depicted (again schematically) in Figure 3. This card is constructed with an optically opaque lamination 31 sandwiched between optically transparent laminations 30 and 32. Printing on regions 33, 34 and 35 of the card identify the card owner. The encoded region 37 on the edge of the card records the telephone number (or the account number) of the card owner, adapted to be read by a card reader connected to an automatic telephone dialling equipment (or to an accounting computer). With this type of card, because it is most unlikely that the number encoded will be changed, the recordal of the digits may be effected at the time of punching the apertures in the opaque layer, instead of covering apertures that have been created. One form of reader for encoded laminated cards is shown schematically in Figures 4 and 5. This reader comprises a light supply 40 and an array 41 of light- sensitive or light-responsive elements 45, such as photo- responsive diodes. The supply 40 and array of elements 41 are spaced apart at distance d, which is sufficient to allow a laminated card 49 to be inserted between the light supply 40 and the array of light-sensitive elements 45. The light supply 40 may . be an elongate light -source, such as an incandescent filament mounted behind an elongate translucent screen. Alternatively, the light supply 40 may have its surface which is closest to the array of light-responsive elements as an opaque plate 43 with apertures 42 therein, the apertures 42 corresponding in location (but not necessarily in shape and size) to the apertures in the opaque layer of the laminated card. ith this alternative form of the light supply 40, the apertures 42 behave like collimators to illuminate respective light-responsive elements in the array 41. Preferably, however, the light source will comprise a series of individual light sources, each adapted to illuminate the apertures of one region of a laminated card. With such an arrangement, the individual digit- locations of a laminated card may be sampled sequentially by serially switching from one individual light source to .. the next. The array of light-responsive elements may be formed as a single chip. The wiring for such a reader is preferably the minimum that is essential for operation of .the reader. This depends on the purpose to which the reader is to be put and the available processing equipment. If the reader incorporates a series of individual light, sources and a switching device to enable the signals from each of the groups of elements to be output sequentially (for example, as a result of the serial switching of individual light sources in the preferred form of light source noted above), seven wires will normally be the minimum required to conduct signals from the array 41 of light-responsive elements. If, however, a common light source is used for the reader, and the groups of light-responsive elements are scanned serially using an OR gate switch, one extra lead will be required for each group - of seven light- responsive elements. The number of output wires can be reduced to four if digital information is encoded, the preferred form of light source is used, and the output signals from each group of seven elements are binary coded. If required, an optical display of the alpha-numeric characters that have been read by the card reader can be provided. Such a display may be mounted on the reader, and activated using connections between the elements in the array 41 and the optical display equipment. Alternatively (and particularly if the optical display is located remote from the reader) , the optical display can be actuated by the signals transmitted through the output wires from the array 41. If alphabetical characters are included in the encoded laminated card, the optical display will not be a seven- segment display, for the display of the obscured apertures of the laminated card will, for some alphabetical characters, be difficult to comprehend. A translator is thus required, to receive the signals from the groups of light-reεponsibe elements and activate appropriate elements in the multi-element display, and thus ensure that the display is intelligible to.a reader of it. Figure 6 depicts an automatic dialling "Teledex" unit 60, with the "lid" 61 of the unit open and a "Teledex card" 62 exposed. Each "Teledex card" 62 has a plurality of regions 63 for insertion of a name (and optionally an address), and an equal plurality of telephone number recording regions 64, each of which is formed as a laminated card of the present invention. As a name is entered into one of the regions 63, the telephone number is recorded, in the manner indicated above, in the corresponding region 64. Within the "Teledex n equipment 60, a "cursor" 65 is located in its rest position, where it does not interfere with the movement of " eledex cards" 62 when the lid 61 is opened. Means may be provided to prevent the closure of lid 61 if the cursor 65 is . not in its rest position. Alternatively, the act of closing the lid may simply disconnect the power to the cursor 65, thus enabling a user of the equipment to repeat the dialling of a telephone number on re-opening the lid 61, as described below. The cursor 65 in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 comprises a card reading head 66, constructed essentially as indicated in Figures 4 and 5, and an optical display 67 (which may be a digital display if numbers only are to be encoded in the regions 63 of the "Teledex card" 62, which will normally be the case) mounted on top of the card reading head 66. The other illustrated components of the automatic telephone dialling "Teledex" unit are the lid release latch 68, cables 69 (which include power supply leads to the "Teledex" unit and also signal transmission leads),..- and an electronics control unit 70 which includes means to cause scanning of the telephone numbers recorded on regions 64 and an automatic telephone dialling circuit. Not shown are the internal wiring of the unit and a microswitch operated by pressure on the lid release latch 68, the reason for which will become apparent. The following is a typical sequence of steps that may be adopted to operate the unit shown in Figure 6 from its "lid closed" position: A. After selecting the appropriate initial letter with the conventional selection mechanism, the lid release latch 68 is pressed to release lid 61 mechanically (so that it occupies the position illustrated in Figure 6). B. The cursor 65 is moved from its rest position. This action switches power to the cursor. The top "Teledex" card 62 is then lifted slightly so that the edge of the card " containing the regions 64 may be inserted into the space in the cursor between the light source and the array of light-responsive elements which constitute the card-reading head 66. C. The cursor is moved along the card 62 until the required telephone number is displayed on the optical display 67. D. The latch 68 is then pressed a second time and a microswitch (not shown) associated with the latch 68 initiates sequential transmission of alpha-numeric information from the card reading head 66. E. The serial transmission of digital information from the card reading head 66 is used to activate a dial command in a telephone dialling circuit located within the control unit 70. Electronic engineers will be aware that various telephone dialling circuits are known. Any suitable one of such circuits may be used in the control unit 70.- Electronic engineers will also be aware that other circuits may be activated in a similar manner - such as a circuit to call television data from a TV screen display data base. The number of digits and/or letters that have to be recorded on a single laminated card region 64 of the "Teledex card" 62 will depend on the maximum number of digits that may be required to make a telephone call or to contact or obtain information from a required source. In Australia, for example, the maximum number of digits required for a telephone call is 16. This is when an international telephone call is made from Australia, using the International Subscriber Dialling (ISD) system. Thus, for Australian telephone use, the laminated card regions 64 should each contain provision for 16 digits to be recorded, and the card reading head 65, if it is of the serially switched light source type, will require a 16 segment light source. A major advantage of the use of the laminated card of the present invention in an automatic dialling "Teledex" arrangement is that when a person changes his telephone number, the user of the "Teledex" simply erases the covering marks on the appropriate laminated card region 64 and replaces them with marks which code the region 64 with the new telephone number or other service call data. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The major use of the present invention will be in the production of business cards encoded with a telephone number and in cards providing a number which can be processed automatically, such as account cards, membership cards and official passes. Business cards incorporating a coded laminated card region, when used in conjunction with an appropriate card reader and automatic telephone dialling circuit, provide a convenient and reliable way of making a telephone call to a business associate or friend. Individual cards, blank but with a laminated card region adapted for coding with a telephone number, provide both a convenient way of storing telephone numbers which are called repeatedly and the means whereby the number may be dialled automatically. An extension of this concept leads to the automatically dialling "Teledex" apparatus which is featured in Figure 6 and is described above, which will be of particular value in busy offices. Other uses of the laminated card coded with alpha¬ numeric characters are, of course, possible. Some of these have been suggested in the above description. In addition to business use, the present invention provides assistance to handicapped persons who are unable to dial telephone numbers or who experience difficulty in dialling or pressing buttons when using a telephone.

Claims: CLAIMS A card-like structure for storing information express in alpha-numeric characters, comprising at least t layers of material (10,11) laminated to form t structure, characterised in that: a) one of the layers (11) is formed from an opticall opaque medium and has therein a series of groupe apertures (13) , the apertures (13) of each group i the series being positioned to coincide wit respective segments of a seven-segme representation used to display digits; and b) the or each other layer (10) is opticall transparent. A structure as defined in claim 1, further characterise in that the or each optically transparent layer (10) i a sheet of plastics material. A structure as defined in claim 2, further characteris in that the layer (11) of optically opaque medium is sheet of plastics material. A structure as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in whic the layer (11) of optically opaque medium is a metalli foil. A structure as defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 in which said apertures (13) are filled with optically transparent medium. A structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 including locating means (14) for use in correctl positioning said structure within a reader thereof. A business card, account card, membership card or t like (36) comprising a structure as defined in claim 1 claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the card (36 comprises an optically opaque layer (31) sandwich between two optically transparent layers (30,32), a the alpha-numeric informa-ion recorded on the card (36 is formed in a display region (37) of the card by t punching of a series of groups of apertures in t opaque layer (31) in the location of said display regi (37). 8. A card as defined in claim 5, further characterised that said card (36) includes regions (33,34,35) there upon which information related to the card-holder may printed. 9. A card for use in a "Teledex" equipment, comprising card (61) having a first region (63) adapted for t recordal of names and optionally other information and second region (64) adapted for the recordal of telepho numbers, characterised in that said second region (64 comprises a plurality of strips, each in the form of t card-like structure as defined in any one of claims 1 t 6. 10. A reader for a structure as defined in any one of clai 1 to 6, or for a card as defined in any one of claims to 9, said reader comprising a source of light (40) an a plurality of light-responsive elements (45) characterised in that: a) the source of light (4) extends over an area whic is at least sufficient to cover the apertures o the structure or card (49); b) the light-responsive elements (45,) are formed as planar array (41); c) the array (41) of light-responsive elements (45) i positioned adjacent to, but spaced from the sourc of light (40), the space between the source o light and the array of elements being sufficient t enable the structure or card (49) to be inserted i the said space; d) the light-responsive- elements (45) are positione so that each element (45) is adapted to recei light transmitted through a respective aperture. a structure or card (49) inserted into said spac and e) each light-responsive element (45) is adapted provide an output signal in response to lig incident thereon. 11. A reader as defined in claim 10, further characteris in that said source of light comprises an elonga translucent screen having dimensions substantially t same as the dimensions of the region of said card structure (49) to be read, a light emitting eleme being located behind said translucent screen. 12. A reader as defined in claim 10 or claim 11, furth characterised in that the surface of the source of lig (40) which is adjacent to said space comprises optically opaque plate (43) having a series of groups apertures (42) formed therein, each group of apertur (42) corresponding in location to the apertures (13) the optically opaque layer (11) of said structure card (49). 13. A reader as defined in claim 12 when appended to cla 10, further characterised in that the source of lig (40) comprises a plurality of individual light sources each adapted to illuminate a respective single group " apertures (42) formed in the optically opaque pla (43). 14. A reader as defined in claim 13, in which sa individual light sources are adapted to be activat sequentially, to provide for serial transmission signals from each group of the light responsive elemen (45) which correspond in location to a single group said apertures (42) formed in said optically opaq plate (43) . 15. An automatic telephone dialling unit comprising: - iJR a) a reader as defined in. any one of claims 10 to 1 said reader being adapted to scan digit information recorded on a structure as defined any one of claims 1 to 6 or on a card as defined any one of claims 7 to 9, said reader being adapt to produce sequential output signals which a representative of said digital information; and b) a control unit adapted to receive said sequenti output signals and to activate a telephone dialli circuit in response thereto. 16. Apparatus for automatically making connection with telephone number, television data base, or like service comprising: a) a card (62) as defined in claim 9; b) a cursor (65) comprising a reader (66) as define in claim 13 or claim 14; c) a digital display (67) adapted to display tjh number recorded in the second region (64) of sai card (62) ; and d) a control unit (70) adapted to receive signals fro the reader (66) of said cursor (65) and to activat a telephone dialling circuit or the like i response to said signals. 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, further characterise in that: a) said digital display (67) is mounted on said reade (67)of said cursor (65); b) said card (62) is mounted, together with plurality of like cards, in a box-like housin having a lid (61), said lid (61) or said box-lik housing including means for selecting one of sai cards (62) ; c) said lid (61) is releasably secured in a close position by a latch (68); and d) actuation of said latch (68) also actuates switching means associated with said control uni (70). -oOo-

Inventors: MORGAN DENIS JAMES
Applicants: MORGAN DENIS JAMES
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G06K1
IPC codes: G06K7, G06K19