Scott David Sampson

US Patent:

49807048, Dec 25, 1990

Filed:

Mar 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/327295

Inventors:

Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Kishor M. Lakhani - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL
Kent Lowman - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G01D 1500

US Classification:

3461531

Abstract:

The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided. The resulting printer produces relatively high-resolution printing and yet is a fast, reliable, simple and cost-effective printer.

US Patent:

56842856, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/468432

Inventors:

Steven M. Faes - New Market AL
Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Martin J. Hnetynka - Huntsville AL
Laird Campbell - Laceys Spring AL
David Preston - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G06K 708

US Classification:

235449

Abstract:

An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. Tickets are pre-staged from a ticket storage bin to a staging point to reduce print-cycle time. Ticket errors can be corrected and changes can be made by re-inserting the old ticket into the machine, reading the information that had been magnetically recorded on the old ticket and either printing a new ticket or over-printing the old ticket. If a new ticket is printed, the old ticket is deposited in a safe receptacle inside the machine.

US Patent:

49581716, Sep 18, 1990

Filed:

Mar 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/327024

Inventors:

Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Kishor M. Lakhani - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL
Kent Lowman - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G01D 1500

US Classification:

3461531

Abstract:

The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transporation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided. The resulting printer produces relatively high-resolution printing and yet is a fast, reliable, simple and cost-effective printer.

US Patent:

50198416, May 28, 1991

Filed:

Mar 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/327232

Inventors:

Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Kishor M. Lakhani - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL
Kent Lowman - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G01D 1500

US Classification:

3461531

Abstract:

The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided. The resulting printer produces relatively high-resolution printing and yet is a fast, reliable, simple and cost-effective printer.

US Patent:

58180222, Oct 6, 1998

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/468842

Inventors:

Steven M. Faes - New Market AL
Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Martin J. Hnetynka - Huntsville AL
Laird Campbell - Laceys Spring AL
David Preston - Huntsville AL
Michael Missios - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G07B 1502
G06F 1700

US Classification:

235384

Abstract:

An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.

US Patent:

56640730, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/470919

Inventors:

Steven M. Faes - New Market AL
Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Martin J. Hnetynka - Huntsville AL
Laird Campbell - Laceys Spring AL
David Preston - Huntsville AL
Michael Missios - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

395112

Abstract:

An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The printer's control system includes a printer electronics board and one or more single-slot PC/AT (ISA bus) microcomputers that are plugged into respective slots of a mother board.

US Patent:

56928459, Dec 2, 1997

Filed:

Jun 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/467701

Inventors:

Steven M. Faes - New Market AL
Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Martin J. Hnetynka - Huntsville AL
Laird Campbell - Laceys Spring AL
David Preston - Huntsville AL
Michael Missios - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

B41J 2902

US Classification:

400692

Abstract:

An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate. Tickets are pre-staged from a ticket storage bin to a staging point to reduce print-cycle time.

US Patent:

60422858, Mar 28, 2000

Filed:

Aug 8, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/907782

Inventors:

Steven M. Faes - New Market AL
Alfred L. Fulton - Huntsville AL
Martin J. Hnetynka - Huntsville AL
Laird Campbell - Laceys Spring AL
David Preston - Huntsville AL
Michael Missios - Huntsville AL
Scott D. Sampson - Huntsville AL

Assignee:

SCI Systems, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

B41J 1158

US Classification:

400624

Abstract:

An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate. Tickets are pre-staged from a ticket storage bin to a staging point to reduce print-cycle time.