Explanation:

Joseph Marie Jacquard is credited with inventing the punch card system for controlling the patterns on his mechanical loom in 1801. These punch cards automated the weaving process, demonstrating a powerful concept of using coded instructions. While Herman Hollerith later adapted and popularized punch cards for data processing and tabulation in the late 19th century (e.g., for the U.S. census), Jacquard's application was the pioneering use. Option (a) Pavrus is not associated with punch card invention. Option (c) Blaise Pascal invented the mechanical calculator (Pascaline) but not punch cards. Therefore, Jacquard ($ \text{b} $) is the correct inventor in this context.