22 Jun
2001
22 Jun
'01
6:38 a.m.
It just occurred to me that it should be possible to
write OCR software
to read punchcards on your scanner. Not that I have any punchcards
mind you, more of an intellectual exercise, but has anyone written
such a thing?
Planning on it, as I think I know where there are some binary decks
containing bootstraps for some old RJE stations formerly used at
IU, and I'd like to preserve that software. I planned on scanning
the decks and then eventually writing such a utility or findind
someone who already had.
Also, if you're desperate for a punchcard reader I
suspect you could
make an acceptable one with Lego Mindstorms. You'd have to use
one of the popular input multiplexing schemes, and probably program it
in nqc or legos, but it should be possible. Using the RCX's motor
controllers and a couple motors and tires you should even be able to make it
automatic feed. In fact, come to think of it, you SHOULD be able to
build the thing with... lessee. two motors, a couple tires, and the
light sensor. 'course your software on the RCX would have to translate
awhat amounts to the scan of a card into data, but if the sensor is
precise enough to tell holes from chads, I can think of a couple ways to
do this.
Dr. Anthony Schaeffer built one that appeared in either BYTE or Interface
Age back in the 70s using a block of wood and what looked like hairpins.
You pulled the cards through manually, one at a time.
-dq