Abstract: Provided are a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card and a method of recognizing the SIM card. A mobile communication terminal to which the SIM card applies has a card installation slot with predetermined connectors. A SIM card is detachably installed in the card installation slot, and includes a first contact pad cluster that has a plurality of contact pads to electrically contact the connectors when the SIM card is installed in a correct direction, and a second contact pad cluster on a same side of the SIM card as the first contact pad cluster, that has a plurality of contact pads to electrically contact the connectors when the SIM card is installed in a direction opposite to the correct direction. The first and the second contact pad Clusters have at least two shared contact pads. The mobile communication terminal has a switching device to switch the at least two shared contact pads, and a controller to read the SIM card connected to the connectors and to simultaneously control the switching device.

Abstract: A card reading device includes an insulating housing, at least a set of conductive terminals, a rear wall, and a shielding member. The rear wall includes a metal plate and a plastic plate that is formed by insert molding, which has a stable configuration and is unlikely to shake or distortion. The rear wall reliably presses and contacts with a top edge of a soldering portion of the conductive terminals, which is easier to be soldered so as to avoid soldering skipping or solder voiding. Moreover, the shielding member presses a top edge of the rear wall so as to make the rear wall securely press the soldering portion. Furthermore, the rear wall includes a plurality of openings therein, which make the gas circulate so as to avoid solder voiding. Thereby the qualified ration is improved.

Abstract: A compact system adapted for card imaging, card laminating, or other card processing, comprises a card processor positioned on a horizontal card feed path and configured to process one or both faces of a rectangular card such as a plastic credit or debit card. A card feeder is arranged to feed cards one at a time onto the horizontal feed path upstream of the card processor, the feeder comprising a compartment for holding a stack of vertical cards each supported on a long edge and a card feed mechanism configured to successively draw a card from an end of the stack and translate it off the stack. A card re-director is configured to receive the card and to redirect it to an attitude in which it is parallel with the horizontal card feed path and positioned to be fed to the card processor along the horizontal feed path. The compartment is located above the horizontal card feed path, and the card feeder feeds cards substantially vertically downward into the card re-director.

Abstract: A bar-code reading device includes a container, a holder and a bar-code reader. The container has an outer circumferential surface on which a bar code is provided. The holder holds the container in an upright position. The bar-code reader reads the bar code from the container. A pulling mechanism pulls up the container from the holder until the bar code is completely exposed, when the bar code reader reads the bar code.

Abstract: A card dispenser is disclosed to include a dispenser body, which has an accommodation chamber for receiving a stack of cards for dispensing, an output port, and a delivery path connected between the accommodation chamber and the output port, a conveying unit controllable to deliver the cards from the accommodation chamber through the delivery path to the output port individually, an adjustment structure for adjusting the length and width of the accommodation chamber subject to the size of the loaded cards, a base member detachably mounted in the dispenser body and provided with an adjustment device for adjusting a gap of the delivery path subject to the thickness of the cards in the accommodation chamber, and detection devices respectively mounted in the dispenser body and the base member for detecting accurate dispensing of every card through the delivery path to the output port.

Abstract: An automatic money transaction machine, which is small in size, to be able to detect a state of a tear in a bill with good accuracy and gives good service and no discomfort to a customer, includes a receipt/payment opening 4, a discriminating unit 6, a temporary accumulation section 8, and a bill discriminating device 20 for discriminating a state of a bill. The bill discriminating device 20 includes an energizing drive device provided on a conveyance path 5 between the receipt/payment opening 4 and the temporary accumulation section 8 for application of tensile or compressive forces in a direction horizontally perpendicular to a direction of conveyance in a plane of a bill, and a bill image acquiring device 53, such as image sensors, imagers or the like, provided close to the energizing drive device for acquiring an image of a bill, to which tensile or compressive forces are applied by the energizing drive device.

Abstract: A system for personalizing a plurality of transaction cards comprises an array of shells that are adapted to engage a sheet having a plurality of transaction cards. Each of the shells comprises an antenna adapted for transmitting data onto one of the cards. An orientation detector is used to determine the orientation of the sheet relative to the array of shells. A controller is used to direct operation of the antenna so that data may be recorded on the cards.

Abstract: A banknote processing device where banknotes are stopped at a predetermined position of a stacker guide without being deformed. Braking means (4) is provided at a portion of a stacker guide (3), and the braking means (4) has a rolling body (7) producing a braking force in the advance direction of an inserted banknote without folding the banknote.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a card reader for reading a card. The card reader includes a pair of rollers for transporting the card and a transmitter for transmitting light toward the transported card. A Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor is provided for sensing light reflected from the transported card. The card reader may further include a planar support for supporting the transmitter and the CCD sensor, and a transparent cover for engaging with the planar support and for covering the transmitter and the CCD sensor.

Abstract: A card with a magnetic stripe when fed into a card reader can be illegally read by a read head unobtrusively attached to the outside of the card reader adjacent to the slot into which the card is fed. To defeat this illegal reading, movement of a card through the read head is interrupted thereby making it difficult for the illegal read head to read the stripe. This interruption occurs at the point where the proper read head inside the card reader is not reading the magnetic stripe. The interruption can be a brief stop or a brief reversal in direction. The interruption occurs once while the card is being fed into the card reader and once when the card is being fed out of the card reader.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an image sensor for slips and an image sensor for card-type media is configured to switch operation between the two image sensors quickly and efficiently. The slip image sensor reads slips conveyed through a first transportation path to acquire image data from the slips. The card-type image sensor reads cards conveyed through a second transportation path to acquire image data from the cards. An active device selector selects, according to a change active scanner (change operation) command sent from a host computer, one or the other of the image sensors as the active image sensor to be driven. These control operations are also embodied in a control method for such an image reading apparatus.

Abstract: The point of sale terminal includes a terminal housing with a controller portion and a cash drawer portion, a sliding sled coupled to the terminal housing residing within the controller portion of the terminal housing and between a first position and a second position wherein the first position is within the controller portion of the terminal housing and the second position is without the controller portion of the terminal housing, and a system controller coupled to the sliding sled such that when the sliding sled is without the controller portion of the terminal housing, the system controller is exposed for service.

Abstract: An optical scanner is provided with a carrier, a casing, a driving unit and a transmission unit. The carrier has a connecting unit and an optical system mounted thereon. The casing has a guiding rail formed as integral unit on the interior wall. The guiding rail has at least a fastener for latching onto the connecting unit of the carrier. The transmission unit links up the driving unit and the carrier. The driving unit drives the transmission unit and then the transmission unit pulls the carrier along the guiding rail through the linkage between the connecting unit and the fastener.

Abstract: A document is cupped at a first time to stiffen and straighten the document before the document is stacked in the interior chamber of a document stacker. The cupped document is cupped at a second time which is different from the first time to maintain the document stiff and straight as the document is being stacked in the interior chamber of the document stacker so as to reduce the chance of a stacking defect from occurring when a succeeding document is subsequently stacked on top of the document. A trailing edge of the document is engaged to urge the trailing edge of the document in a direction away from direction of movement of the document into the interior chamber of the document stacker so as to prevent a succeeding document which is to be subsequently stack on top of the document from stacking out of sequence relative to the document.

Abstract: A card reader for an automated banking machine is provided. The card reader includes a processor and a card transport. The card transport moves at least one card a plurality of cycles between a first position and a second position within the card transport. The card transport continuously moves the card in a first direction for a first time period at a first speed, then continuously moves the card in the first direction for a second time period at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. Subsequent to the second time period, the card transport moves the card in the first direction for a third time period, during which the card stops and starts moving more than five times. Both the second and third time periods vary from cycle to cycle responsive to a variable parameter determined by the at least one processor.

Abstract: Print jobs having a mixture of first image sheets and second image sheets are sorted to a first image forming device and a second image forming device. After image formation is performed on sheets by the respective image forming devices, radio frequency IC tags (RFID tags) are affixed to the sheets, in which attribute information including post-processing information and page identification information is written. Sheet bundles produced by the respective image forming devices are separately set to a post-processing device. The post-processing device reads out the attribute information stored in the radio frequency IC tags, and the sheets are selectively fed from the respective sheet bundles while conforming to the page order. Thereafter, the post processing is performed.

Abstract: A self service bank terminal is constructed so as to be usable by sitting and standing customers, so as to take up little floor surface, and so that several terminals can be placed side-by-side with the display screen of one terminal being not viewable by customers at other of the terminals. The terminal has a housing 10 with two rectangular side walls 23, 123 connected by an upper cover plate 24, a rear wall 25, a front plate 27 and a bottom plate 26, which includes the bottom plate having a supporting surface for engaging a supporting floor, or the bottom plate 22 having a supporting column 21, with the cover plate being horizontal or slightly sloped. The display screen is located on a pulpit shaped portion 124 of the cover plate, has associated with it blinder shields 41 on three of its sides, and is slightly inclined. Also included in the terminal are a keyboard 52, a check examining device 53, and a printer drawer 30.

Abstract: A product and document fulfilment system for merging together discrete articles and specific documentation which pertains to each discrete article, and for packaging and labelling the same. The system comprises an article conveyor on which discrete articles are carried seriatim, a first machine code reader for reading the unique machine readable code on each discrete article, a printer for printing a specific document pertaining to the article, instruction control means governing the delivery of the appropriate document to be merged with the article, a merging station where the specific document and the article are merged, a second machine code reader for reading the machine readable code on the specific document, first memory and counter means for recognizing the identity of the discrete article at the merging station, and accept/reject means to accept the merged article and specific document when a match occurs, or reject the item when no match occurs.

Abstract: A card reader includes a card locking mechanism locking a card medium in an immovable holding position when the card medium inserted from a card insertion port provided in a front section of a card reader body stops because of abnormal stopping, thus preventing wrongful removal of the card medium by withdrawal. The card locking mechanism includes a spindle able to rotate via a spindle pin at one end inside the card reader body at the card insertion port, and a stopper configuration enabling direct contact with a surface of the card medium provided along a periphery at another end. A rotation radius includes a distance from the spindle pin to the stopper configuration being gradually increased from one end of the stopper configuration to another end to increase locking force by contact with the card medium.

Abstract: A card connector (100) provided for interconnecting the card to an external circuit board includes an insulative housing (1), a number of terminals (2) retained in the housing for electrically connecting with the card, and first and second spring switch contacts (31, 32). The first and second spring switch contact respectively include a first and second lead (311, 312) secured in the housing and extending outwardly for electrical connection with an external circuit board, and a generally U-shaped first and second deflectable body portion (312, 322). The first deflectable body portion has a first free leg (314) defining a first spring contact portion (3140). The second deflectable body portion has a second free leg (324) having a deflecting portion (3241) adapted to be actuated by the card in direct response to insertion thereof and a second spring contact portion (3240) adapted for engaging with said first spring contact portion.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). An envelope storage and dispensing device (134) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an adapting element (1) for at least one programmable electronic holder (2) to be personalized, having surface size larger than that of all programmable electronic holder to be personalized and meeting size accepted by the personalization machine, wherein the adapting element (1) is provided with a housing (101) of suitable size and shape to house and maintain at least one programmable electronic holder (2), so that contact or contactless communication means (203–204) of programmable electronic holder (2) are respectively positioned opposite or close to respective contact or contactless communication means of the personalization machine (3).

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Items deposited into the machine through a deposit inlet (44) pass through a deposit transport (48) in which properties of the deposited item such as thickness are measured and indicia corresponding to the sensed properties are recorded on the deposited item. The deposited item is stored in a storage area (50) in the machine. Each deposited item is subsequently removed from the machine and the content thereof compared to the indicated value for the item input to the machine by the person making the deposit. The data corresponding to the indica recorded on the deposited item is usable to determine if the deposited item had content which may correspond to the value indicated at the time of deposit, and the user's account may be credited accordingly.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding data contained in indicia such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required and begins processing data as soon as one captured image is determined complete. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate processing for data and removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and a complete image formed from the second or combination of the two individual scans. The device can also be used to compare photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph encoded in a two dimensional bar code and to display both photos for comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a card dispensing unit including a stack guide assembly configured to receive a stack of cards, an encoder to encode said stack of cards, wherein said encoder is positioned in relation to said stack guide assembly to receive a consistent impingent force from said stack of cards: And a push block in operable communication with the guide assembly is also provided to selectively move the cards pursuant to a controllable position linear actuator which is in operable communication with the push block.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation can include an encoder reader located in a fixed position at a workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip, a workpiece carrier movable along a path of travel through the workstation, and having an encoder strip connected thereto, the encoder strip operably interacting with the encoder reader located at the workstation, and a non-direct drive or friction drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier along the path of travel through the workstation, the non-direct drive or friction drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader in a closed loop feedback control system. The encoder reader can be selected from a group consisting of an optical encoder reader, a magnetic encoder reader, and any other absolute positioning encoder reader.

Abstract: A support unit supports a plurality of flexible cards arranged in a stack. A pickup unit adjacent to the stack of flexible cards attracts a first card from the stack of cards, bending the flexible card. A transporting unit adjacent to the pickup unit receives and moves the first card attracted by the pickup unit along a card dispensing passageway. A biasing unit having at least one biasing roller with at least one radial projection from the biasing roller urges a portion of the first card towards the card dispensing passageway. A method of dispensing flexible cards includes movement of cards away from the pickup unit after the first card is attracted to prevent inadvertently dispensing more than one card.

Abstract: A data system (1) includes a credit card type substrate (3) and a data unit (2). The substrate has first and second edges (28, 30) and a data surface region (26) between the edges. The data unit includes a base (4), a substrate support (60) mounted to the base for controlled movement along a first path (14), and a data head driver (6), also mounted to the base, including a data head which reciprocates along a second path (10) oriented perpendicular to the first path. The data head contacts the data surface region on the substrate and first and second data head support surfaces (120, 122) located at opposite ends of the second path adjacent to the first and second edges of the substrate. The data head support surfaces and the data surface rer˜ioI1 are coplanar.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for card type recording mediums comprises a first loading section for receiving a first IC card and a second loading section for receiving a second IC card, the first loading section and the second loading section being arranged in parallel with each other at the side of the top surface of the apparatus, along with a third loading section for receiving a third IC card arranged at the side of the bottom surface of the apparatus. The apparatus main body is connected to a host apparatus such as a personal computer by way of a cable. The first and second loading sections are provided with respective bulged sections showing plan views similar to those of the IC cards to be received therein so that the user can identify the loading sections simply by touching them.

Abstract: A key card encoder incorporates a plunger that is pushed downward as the card is manually inserted into a slot in the encoder and a potentiometer whose value changes based on the plunger position to indicate the card's position at all times. As the card is inserted into the slot, a head encodes a magnetic strip on the card as the card is inserted into the slot, while the head verifies the code in the reverse direction as the card is withdrawn from the slot. The slot is illuminated in different colors and flashing patterns to guide the user through the encoding process and notify the user if there is an encoding error.

Abstract: A mailpiece sorter system including a mailpiece feeding assembly operative to selectively feed mailpieces singularly or in groupings of mailpieces consisting of more than one mailpiece and a mailpiece sortation assembly operatively coupled to the mailpiece feeding assembly. The mailpiece sortation system includes a plurality mailpiece sortation bins and a diverting assembly for directing fed mailpieces into a predetermined mailpiece sortation bins. A control system is operatively coupled to the mailpiece feeding assembly to determine which mailpieces are to be singularly fed from said feeding assembly and which mailpieces are to be fed from said feeding assembly in a predetermined grouping of mailpieces.

Abstract: An anti-tether device used in vending machines to prevent retrieval of paper currency that is attached to a tether. The anti-tether device includes a slotted disk aligned with the paper currency path and is caused to rotate after paper currency passes through the slot. A tether attached to the paper currency will inhibit the motion of the disk. If the vending machine control system determines that the disk did not rotate completely or did not rotate within a predetermined time limit, the vending machine will not dispense a product or service and may send an external signal. Alternatively, if a product or service is dispensed despite the presence of a tether, the paper currency will not be retrievable, as the tether will be mechanically wound around a shaft of the anti-tether apparatus.

Abstract: A medium for printing, such as a thermal receipt roll for an ATM. The medium has two sides, each side having a plurality of marks positioned to trigger an automatic operation, such as printing, movement, or cutting of the medium when identified by a detector. Preferably, the marks are adapted for optical sensing by a detector located along one side or the other of the roll, and are positioned at regular intervals along the side edges. This allows the roll to be used in business machines having different detector configurations.

Abstract: A card reading device includes a card-reception base provided with a reception space in size corresponding to a card to be read with a plurality of contact zones, a card-reception zone on a first side thereof, and a fastener-reception zone on a second side thereof; a card reading portion located at the card-reception zone being provided with a plurality of resilient leaves and a flange, in which the resilient leaves are located at the bottom face of the card-reception zone and corresponding to the contact zones, while the flange is disposed in parallel with the transverse direction of the card-reception base; and a push-to-joint portion having its top face extended to form a protruding portion, being located at the fastener-reception zone in parallel with the transverse direction of the card-reception base.

Abstract: A card forcible ejection mechanism used to forcibly discharge a card retained in a card reader can be set in a small space and can be attached during a post-assembling step. The mechanism has a carriage which can move along a carriage direction of a card and is provided separately from a card carrying device and at least one claw which is provided on the carriage and can protrude/retract to/from a card carriage path: A carriage moving device for moving the carriage to a claw retracing position and a claw protruding position, and a claw protruding/retracting mechanism which retracts the claw from the card carriage path when the carriage is placed at the claw retracting position and protrudes the claw to the card carriage path when the carriage is placed at the claw protruding position, are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a characteristic, such as body mass index number, for a person includes a housing having a panel with an edge portion, an intermediate portion, and a window formed in the intermediate portion. A member is movably secured to the housing and a peripheral portion of the member extends from the housing adjacent the panel edge portion. Indicia that indicates incremental units of a first characteristic is disposed on either the panel edge portion or the member peripheral portion. Indicia that indicates incremental units of a second characteristic is disposed on the other one of the panel edge portion or the member peripheral portion. Indicia that indicates incremental units of a third characteristic is disposed on the member and is viewable through the window. Movement of the member to align first indicia units with second indicia units causes display of third indicia units via the window.

Abstract: A print media processing apparatus having scanner feed rollers for holding and transporting print media against an image scanner appropriately controls the scanner feed roller position. The scanner feed rollers are opposite the image scanner, which is disposed along a vertical segment of a transportation path along which a check or form is transported. A roller retraction mechanism moves the scanner feed rollers between a closed position in which the rollers press against the scanning surface, and an open position in which the rollers are retracted therefrom. The scanner feed rollers retract to the open position a specific time after scanning ends. By delaying retraction of the rollers in this manner, the present invention solves the problem of a check or other print media, after having been processed and transported to the exit side of the rollers, from slipping down between the rollers and the image scanner into the vertical transportation path because the rollers opened as soon as scanning ends.

Abstract: A smart card handling device with a communication board attaching unit including a first base attached to the card handling device and a second base for carrying a set of one or more communication boards for communicating with a non-contact type smart card or a contact type smart card along a transporting passageway. The first base and the second base have a complementary mounting to suitably mate together. The communication board attaching unit can selectively pivot to enable a recycling operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gear arrangement actuated by a control motor. The motor can be reversed in its rotational direction in order to emit a chip card of a tachograph for example. The gear arrangement is provided with a slide-rod for each reading/writing unit, the slide-rod being embodied in the form of a toothed rack being able to be displaced in the direction of movement of the chip card. A control slider which is actuated by the control motor is coupled gearwise to the slide rods so that when the control slider is displaced, the slide rods carry out a movement in opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: An IC card reader comprising a contact head holding body which is given a force in the card discharge direction and makes contact with an IC card at the insertion of the card. The card reader also comprises a card latch lever that is operated between an open mode, in which an IC card can be inserted and removed, and a closed mode, in which an IC card cannot be inserted or removed; an operating arm for moving the card latch lever and for holding the card latch lever in the closed mode; and an operating lever for moving the operating arm. The card latch lever enters the closed mode with the movements of the operating lever and the operating arm after an IC card is inserted to a predetermined position. The contact head holding body and the operating lever are connected with each other so that the operating lever moves synchronously with the movement of the contact head holding body.

Abstract: A data system (1) includes a credit card type substrate (3) and a data unit (2). The substrate has first and second edges (28, 30) and a data surface region (26) between the edges. The data unit includes a base (4), a substrate support (60) mounted to the base for controlled movement along a first path (14), and a data head driver (6), also mounted to the base, including a data head which reciprocates along a second path (10) oriented perpendicular to the first path. The data head contacts the data surface region on the substrate and first and second data head support surfaces (120, 122) located at opposite ends of the second. path adjacent to the first and second edges of the substrate. The data head support surfaces and the data surface region are coplanar.

Abstract: A variety of PC card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots. The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus. Some embodiments use programmed general purpose microprocessors to decode undecoded barcode scan data on the PC card. Other embodiments use custom-programmed, commercially available barcode decoding chips to decode incoming undecoded barcode scan data.

Abstract: A structure of a card gate mechanism in a card reader of, e.g., an ATM (automated teller machine). In order to constitute a gate opening (3) of a card gate mechanism (1), a gate frame (4a, 4b) which includes a wide-open portion (5) which leads a card (2) to a card carrying path (14) by using a material which transmits light is provided on at least one surface side of the card (2), and a light source portion (6) which irradiates the gate frame (4a, 4b) with the light is provided, thereby causing the wide-open portion (5) to shine by emitting the light from the light source portion (6). In this case, when a part of the gate frame (4a, 4b) is formed as a lens portion (9), a direction of light irradiation can be controlled, thereby alleviating irregularities in an element.

Abstract: This invention provides a universal flash memory card bank structure that can host various memory cards, comprising of an adaptor bank, a chassis, a top plate, and a bottom plate. The adaptors in the adaptor bank have sockets to host different memory cards. The adaptor bank is fixed on the chassis, and the sockets of it face against corresponding holes in the front of the chassis. The chassis with the adaptor bank is enclosed under the top plate and the bottom plate.

Abstract: A data card is shown. The data card includes a non-magnetic substrate selected from the group consisting of a glass substrate, a glass-ceramic substrate, crystallized glass substrate, an aluminum substrate, a ceramic substrate, a carbon substrate, a silicon substrate and a resin substrate, which substrate, in the preferred embodiment, has a first edge and second edge. A data storage surface region is located on the substrate between the first edge and the second edges. The data surface region includes a magnetic storage medium. A data unit having a combination of a data card and a data card reader is also shown. A method for reading a data storage card is also shown.

Abstract: A card connector has a first receiving slot for receiving a first card and a second receiving slot for receiving a second card having a thickness smaller than the first card. A stopper member is supported in the first receiving slot by a supporting shaft and pivots between a first position where the stopper member blocks the first receiving slot to prevent advancement of the first or second card and a second position where the first receiving slot is unblocked. A cam member is pivotally supported in the card receiving slot by a supporting shaft arranged perpendicular to the supporting shaft of the stopper member and has a claw that abuts the stopper member to prevent the stopper member from pivoting to the second position. The cam member has a cam surface that releases the claw from the stopper member when the cam surface is cam-engaged by the first card.

Abstract: A loading mechanism of a storage device includes a loader tray into which cartridge is loaded. A stopper spring is arranged on an opening of the loader tray. One side of the stopper spring is attached onto the loader tray, and the stopper spring is bent so as to include an engagement portion in a “V-like” shape. A pair of extending portions, extending toward the stopper spring, are formed on a side of a release plate. If the release plate is moved toward the stopper spring, the pair of extending portions move underneath an inclined portion of the stopper spring, so as to push up the engagement portion.

Abstract: A data storage card includes a glass substrate having first and second edges. A data storage surface region is located on the glass substrate between the first and second edges. The data surface region includes a magnetic storage medium having at least one layer of high density, high coercivity magnetic material for storing magnetic signals. The data storage card may include a relatively hard, abradeable protective coating formed on the magnetic material layer. The protective coating has a thickness between a maximum thickness which would materially attenuate magnetic signals passing between the magnetic material layer and a transducer of a read device, and a minimum thickness enabling said protective coating to be abraded by usage in an ambient natural atmosphere operating environment for removing therefrom a known quantity of the protective coating.

Abstract: A card processor which maintains security against unauthorized reading of the magnetic data recorded in the card and improves operability by suppressing offensive feeling to the customers includes a card carriage control unit which rotates carrier rollers in a direction in which a card is taken in by the interior of the main body until the card is held by the pair of carrier rollers closest to the insertion port. Therefore, the customer who inserts the card does not receive offensive feeling such as supporting something with the card that occurs when the leading end of the card comes in contact with the carrier rollers that are halting. As the card is held by the carrier rollers, further, the card carriage control unit intermittently carries the card so as to be taken in by the main body. Even in case an unauthorized card reader is attached to the front surface of the insertion port, therefore, the card data are not read out without authorization.