Abstract: A motorized card reader module (10) having a throat portion (14) defining an entry/exit slot (16) for receiving cards (78) is described. The module (10) includes a sweeping mechanism (28) comprising one or more arms (62) coupled to a driving mechanism (64, 66). The arms (62) include a hook portion (68) for catching any obstruction present in the throat portion (14). When the driving mechanism (64,66) is energized the arms (62) sweep horizontally across the slot (16) defined by the throat portion (14). This enables the arms (62) to detect and/or remove any obstruction within the throat portion (14). A self-service terminal (80) for preventing fraud and a method of preventing fraud using the module (10) are also described.

Abstract: A holder and reader for two or more data cards for a radio communication device, the holder including a body having formations for releasably carrying the two or more data cards and being adapted to be removably installed in the data card reader of the device.

Abstract: To present a highly reliable IC card reader for detecting when it is ready to communicate with an IC card by using a detection switch. In a main body unit, a torsion spring is thrust in a pushing direction of a detection switch button (OFF direction). In the presented switch mechanism, an IC contact point holder has a switch changeover bump, and when the bump moves to the inner side in cooperation with the move of the IC contact point holder, this bump abuts against the end portion of the torsion spring which is thrusting the detection switch button, and the end portion of the torsion spring is departed from the button.

Abstract: A manual magnetic card reader allows a card with a magnetic strip to be inserted in a card insert slot to a card stop position and then allows the card to be removed. The reader comprises a magnetic head for reading magnetic data recorded in the magnetic strip, a data editing portion for editing the magnetic data and a saving buffer for saving the magnetic data of the card that is read during card insertion. The magnetic data is read and saved in the saving buffer during the card insertion and the magnetic data is also read during card removal.

Abstract: A foreign matter detection mechanism for detecting a foreign matter other than a carriage object for the purpose of, e.g., preventing illegal use of a card by detecting a foreign matter other than the card inserted into, e.g., a card reader, a carriage movement mechanism used in the foreign matter detection mechanism and the like, and a method for operating the carriage movement mechanism. The foreign matter detection mechanism (1) comprises foreign matter detection members (5a, 5b) having foreign matter engagement portions (6a, 6b) and move closer to or away from a traveling path (4), a movement mechanism (29) for moving the foreign matter detection members (5a, 5b) in a direction crossing the traveling path (4) respectively, and detecting means (8a, 8b) for detecting presence/absence of foreign matter detection by the foreign matter detection members (5a, 5b).

Abstract: A manual IC card reader has a recess at a frame constructing a card insertion slot in the card insertion direction for inserting and removing a card. The card insertion slot is configured to project an IC contact block toward a card pathway as the IC contact block comes in and then let the card be removed after data communication rolling elements in a free rotational condition provided in a front vicinity of a card stop position in the card direction to reduce an insertion load on the IC card when the IC card projects the IC contacts block toward the card pathway.

Abstract: A carrier mechanism for supporting and moving a travelling module along a predetermined travelling path is disclosed. The carrier mechanism includes a guide device fixed inside a casing, a carrier movable along the guide device between a forward and rearward positions with the travelling module removably mounted on the carrier and a driving mechanism including a motor mounted to the carrier and in driving engagement with the guide device for moving the carrier between the forward and rearward positions. The guide device includes an elongate strip integrally formed on a bottom of the casing with a rack formed along a side face thereof to drivingly engage a pinion of the motor. Alternatively, a timing belt and toothed wheel system or a wire and pulley system or a worm and gear system may be used to replace the pinion and rack system.

Abstract: An IC card reader comprising an contact and a rotating member. The contact is for coming into contact with an IC contact terminal of a card. The rotating member is rotated by the insertion of the card. The rotating member starts to rotate as the card presses a portion of the rotating member, and the portion of the rotating member presses the card on a rear surface thereof when the rotating member rotates.

Abstract: A PC card authentication system has a PC card having a PC card housing with a plug connector at one end thereof configured to be inserted into a computer slot of a computer and to provide electrical contact with the computer. Electronic components are mounted in the PC card housing and are connected to the plug connector. A sensor is provided for detecting biometric data of a person for the purpose of authenticating the identity of a person.

Abstract: A media cassette (10) for a self-service terminal (SST) comprises a body (20) for receiving media to be dispensed in the form of a bundle of media (12) having end faces and side faces. At least one movable guide member (16, 17, 18, 19) is provided for locating the media within the body (20) and for engaging a respective side face of the media bundle (12). The guide member (16, 17, 18, 19) is urged towards the respective side face of the media bundle (12).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for guiding an IC card into and ejecting the card from a card reading apparatus which includes an electrical connector having at least one terminal for engaging at least one contact on the card. A frame has the connector mounted therewithin. A slider receives the card. The slider has guide means for guiding insertion of the card in a direction of mating the card with the connector. The slider is movably mounted relative to the frame for moving the card therewith away from the connector and ejecting the card from the apparatus.

Abstract: A drawer assembly, a financial transaction terminal and a method for manipulating the drawer assembly with respect to a financial transaction terminal. The financial transaction terminal uses a merchant card to record information pertaining to transactions between two parties, e.g., a customer and a merchant. The merchant card is held within the drawer assembly such that the merchant card is automatically inserted into the terminal when the drawer assembly is inserted into the terminal. Additionally, the merchant card is automatically removed from the terminal when the drawer assembly is removed from the terminal. The drawer assembly is removably connected to the terminal via a movable tab member. Depression of the tab member both releases the drawer assembly and applies pressure on the merchant card to thereby facilitate removal of the merchant card from the terminal.

Abstract: In a flat sliding gear drive formed of flat panel-shaped sliding elements (1), (2), with a first sliding element (1) connected to a motor and a second sliding element (2) connected to a variable load, the first and second sliding elements (1), (2) have interacting wedge surfaces which are curved for providing a uniform torque loading of the driving motor.

Abstract: A card transporting mechanism for a card reader in which the trailing end of a card as viewed in a card transporting direction is brought into contact with a first card engaging/holding member moving in a card transporting direction, and the card is transported by said first card engaging/holding member, said card transporting mechanism including a carriage movable in the card transporting direction, said first card engaging/holding member being mounted on such that said first card engaging/holding member is movable between a first position where said first card engaging/holding member comes in contact with the trailing end of said card and a second position where said first card engaging/holding member does not comes in contact with said card, and a transportation drive member, for transporting the card, coupled to said first card engaging/holding member such that a position of said first card engaging/holding member changes in accordance with a moving direction of said transportation drive member, and when

Abstract: A bill deposit/withdrawal machine for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills according to a transaction includes a deposit/withdrawal port for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills; a bill discriminating unit for discriminating bills, bill accepting boxes for accepting bills transported from the deposit/withdrawal port or accepting bills to be transported to the deposit/withdrawal port and a bill transport path for connecting the deposit/withdrawal port to the bill accepting boxes through the bill discriminating unit and transporting bills. The deposit/withdrawal port and the bill discriminating unit are disposed in an upper part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine, and the bill accepting boxes are disposed in a lower part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PC card connector which has a small number of parts, and which makes it possible to obtain good operating characteristics and a low-operating force by means of a relatively simple structure. A guide plate assembly (70) of the PC card connector has a guide plate (32) which has guide grooves (80, 84) and a circular cam groove (82); furthermore, the guide plate assembly (70) also has pressing-bar assemblies (72a, 72b) which are disposed on both sides of the guide plate 32. Each of the pressing-bar assemblies (72a, 72b) has a swinging plate (76) which is pivot mounted on a pin (74) in a front portion. Pins (74, 77) and projection (89) of the pressing-bar assembly (72a) respectively slide along a guide groove (80), circular cam groove (82) and guide groove (84) of the guide plate (32) in accordance with the operation of the pressing-bar assembly (72a).

Abstract: In a method of prolonging an electrical connection between a card that has a readable and a writeable memory and a reader/writer of the card, a writing cycle commenced on the card has time to be completed before the electrical connection is broken. The card is placed in the reader on a sliding carriage that moves with the card, during which time the card and the reader are in electrical contact. An inner contact breaker allows a signal permitting writing on the card when the card reaches its end position. An outer contact breaker allows a signal permitting reading of the card before the card reaches its end position.

Abstract: A smart card contacting apparatus comprising: a frame in which contact elements are mounted, a locking element mounted on the frame and adapted to lock a smart card directly or indirectly in a reading position on the frame in which the contact elements contact smart card contacts of the inserted smart card, and a mechanical an unlocking elements provided on the frame and adapted to unlock the locking means when the smart card is moved out of the reading position.

Abstract: A connector with a slot for receiving a smart card with contact pads, includes contacts that are held away from the card slot until the card becomes fully inserted, using a mechanism with a minimum number of easily formed parts. The mechanism includes a rocker (142) with a control part (144) that is pivotally mounted about a rocker axis (Y—Y) and that has a rear end forming a tab (186) that projects into the rear end of the card slot, to be deflected downwardly by the card reaching its fully inserted position. The control part also has a front end (174) that is coupled to the contacts to depress them until the card is fully inserted, whereupon the contacts are released to move up. The rocker, which is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, includes a pair of laterally-spaced fastening plates (150) that are fixed to the housing, and a pair of deflectable portions (148, 154) that can be resiliently deformed to permit the control part to pivot.

Abstract: The invention is an embossing system, embosser and indent imprinter and method of operation thereof. The invention includes a plurality of stations (34, 36, 40, 42, 44 and 46) including an embossing station (38); a carriage (162) for holding an item (60) to be processed by the system at the plurality of stations including the embossing station; a carriage transport (180) which moves the carriage while holding the item to be processed along a plurality of spaced apart transport paths; and wherein at least one station is disposed on each of the plurality of transport paths and the carriage transport moves the carriage holding the item along the plurality of transport paths to each of the plurality of processing stations at which processing is performed on the item.

Abstract: A system is described which permits a financial institution to provide for testing of software and equipment which is intended for use in an electronic funds transfer network. The system permits the validation of the software and equipment without requiring utilizing the electronic funds transfer central switch which would otherwise process electronic funds transfers.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted for reading optically detected information stored in a data storage medium. The data storage medium is formed as a rectangular card body, at least one surface of which is provided with a data storage track having a plurality of parallel and equally spaced apart track sections stored with the optically detected information. The apparatus includes a first moving unit, associated operably with a carrier unit that has the data storage medium loaded thereon, for moving the carrier unit back and forth between first and second limit positions along a first axis parallel to the track sections, an optical detector unit for reading the optically detected information stored in one of the track sections when the carrier unit is moved by the first moving unit, a second moving unit, for moving the optical detector unit along a second axis transverse to the first axis, and a controller unit coupled to the first and second moving units and the optical detector unit.

Abstract: An adaptor (10) can be inserted into a PC passage (12) of a computer device (14) and which can receive and connect to a smart card (30). The adaptor has top and bottom frame halves (60, 62) that form at least opposite side portions of a smart card-receiving slot (20) between them, with each frame half including a molded plastic body (90, 94) and a sheet metal cover part (90, 96) with tabs (100, 102) molded into the corresponding body. The two plastic bodies are ultrasonically welded together at opposite sides of their front ends (136, 138) which lie forward of the slot, and at opposite side parts (140, 142) of their rear projection ends. At least one of the plastic bodies forms side stops (232) at opposite sides of the front of the slot, to resist sideward movement of the front of the fully installed smart card, with each side stop lying immediately outside the rounded corner (220) at one side of the smart card.

Abstract: This invention discloses an optical data access system. The optical data access system includes an optical flat data storage medium. The optical data access system further includes a data access drive system for driving an optical pickup head for performing a rotational movement over the flat data storage medium for accessing data over an arc segment on the optical flat data storage medium. And, the optical data access system further including a controller for controlling a data transfer between the data access drive system and the optical flat data storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the optical flat data storage medium is an optical data card. In a different preferred embodiment, an optical pickup head is provided for accessing data over substantially one-half of the rotational movement.

Abstract: An information recording-reproducing apparatus is provided which effects any one of recording of information on an information recording medium and reproduction of the information from the information recording medium by a head while relatively moving a carriage, on which the information recording medium has been mounted, and the head, wherein the apparatus satisfies the following relationship Y<{(0.8−3.0)/(800−150)}X+3.5 wherein X is a velocity (mm/sec) of continuous movement of a moving member of the carriage or head, and Y is a movement distance (mm) of the center of gravity in the whole apparatus.

Abstract: A card reader (10) includes a housing (12) having a top wall (14), opposed side walls (34), a closed end (30) and an open end (26) defining a card-receiving slot (40), and an array of terminals (50) secured in the housing. The card-receiving slot (40) is spaced upwardly a selected distance from a board-mounting face (22) of the housing (12). The top wall (14) includes an opening (18) therethrough in communication with the card-receiving slot (40) remote from the terminals (50), the opening (18) being aligned with a corresponding opening in the housing (12) beneath the card-receiving slot (40). Portions of a circuit board (70) beneath the housing are exposed for access from above the card reader (10) after mounting to the board (70), when a card (60) is not disposed in the card-receiving slot (40), thereby permitting low profile electronic components (76) to be mounted on the exposed portions of the board or tested or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A PCMCIA connector having a header retaining a number of terminals therein, a shield having a pair of downwardly and inwardly bent extensions to define a receiving slot for receiving a PCMCIA card, and a card ejection mechanism for releasing the inserted card. An engaging device is formed on one of the extensions of the shield and a guide of the ejection mechanism for retentively mounting the guide to the shield. By such a design, occupied space on a printed circuit board on which the connector is mounted is reduced, and assembly of the card ejection mechanism is facilitated.

Abstract: A card ejection device of an electronic card connector includes a card driving portion and a manual operation portion. A shielding member includes a plate for substantially shielding the connector and two side walls extending therefrom. The card driving portion includes a rocking member rotated by a follower bar to eject an electronic card received in the connector. The manual operation portion includes a casing mounted to the side wall of the shielding member. A cam plate is fixed in one side wall of the casing and defines a closed-loop groove. A push bar is movably received in the casing and overlaps the cam plate. A slider is arranged between the push bar and the cam plate. The slider defines a hole for receiving a pivot of the push bar and forms a pin movably received in the groove of the cam plate whereby when the push bar is manually operated, the groove guides the movement of the slider and the push bar.

Abstract: A unit for processing chip and/or magnetic stripe cards. The unit comprises a minimum of one card storage magazine to store cards to be processed, a minimum of one chip and/or magnetic stripe processing station to record data on the chip (semiconductor element) and/or the magnetic stripe of the card, and a minimum of one card body processing station to record visible, unmodifiable data on the card body. The unit further includes an optical identification station with an evaluation unit to verify accuracy and/or quality of the data recorded on the card body, with cards exhibiting incorrectly or defectively applied visible data being rejected as defective.

Abstract: A contact carriage 2 is movably provided in an opening 12 formed in a frame 11 having a card path 8 into which an IC card 9 is inserted, and of the opposed side faces defining the opening 12, the side face 13b which confronts a carriage movement reference surface 17 used when the contact carriage 2 moves in the opening 12 includes a flat portion 14a and a arcuately protruded portion 15a.

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: The read head portion of a chip card reader is compactly mounted on the rear side of a front device bay faceplate in a computer in a manner permitting a peripheral device, representatively a hard disk drive, to be mounted in the device bay immediately behind the read head. To permit this installation of both the card read head and the peripheral device at the same computer drive bay, the read head is installed on the rear side of the faceplate at an acute angle relative thereto, with the card entry opening in the read head being aligned with a card insertion slot formed in the faceplate and being inclined at the read head installation angle. The electronics associated with the read head are also compactly mounted on the rear side of the faceplate. The angling of the read head relative to the device bay faceplate substantially reduces the rearward projection thereof toward the associated drive bay to an extent permitting the read head to be disposed entirely forwardly of the disk drive within the drive bay.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for carrying an information recording medium, in which recording of information on and/or reproduction of information from the recording medium is effected by causing a base for holding the recording medium to reciprocally move to an optical head for recording and/or reproducing. The apparatus has a feeding mechanism for feeding the recording medium to the base, and an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the recording medium from the base. The ejecting mechanism is provided on the base.

Abstract: An optical reader includes a mechanical scanning assembly for scanning an optical card such as an OC-ROM. The scanning assembly includes a linear LED array, a linear detector array and a carrier for moving the LED array and the detector array jointly in a linear scanning direction. When the LED array illuminates a data patch on the optical card, a bit image of the data patch is focused onto the detector array. The bit image is read out as a serial stream of data. A data patch can be randomly accessed by moving the scanning assembly to a row including the data patch and turning on an LED located over the data patch.

Abstract: A card receptor for use in an internet set-top box is provided with a pivotable door, a card carrier with card/disk insertion slots to receive and to keep a card/disk therein through the card/disk insertion slots and a driving mechanism. The card carrier moves toward an inside position wherein the card/disk insertion slots stay within a housing of the internet set-top box, with the pivotable door being closed by the driving mechanism, and toward an outside position wherein the card/disk insertion slots stay outside a front panel through an opening of the housing, with the pivotable door being opened by the loading mechanism.

Abstract: A digital cash safe for storing a monetary value corresponding to an amount of digital cash. The digital cash safe includes a circuit board on which a plurality of storage devices are mounted each of the storage device storing a monetary value and a controller to select one of the storage devices and transfer a monetary value from or into the selected storage device. The circuit board and the controller are secured by a case having a door and a door lock for controlling access thereto.

Abstract: A card reading device has a contact carrier part and a card carrier part. The card carrier part is formed with a card receiving portion into which the card to be read is inserted. The card carrier part, together with the card, is inserted at least partially into or onto the contact carrier part. The card carrier part has an elastically deformable tongue element which projects at least partially into and over the card receiving portion.

Abstract: A unit for processing chip and/or magnetic stripe cards. The unit comprises a minimum of one card storage magazine to store cards to be processed, a minimum of one chip and/or magnetic stripe processing station to record data on the chip (semiconductor element) and/or the magnetic stripe of the card, and a minimum of one card body processing station to record visible, unmodifiable data on the card body. The unit further includes an optical identification station with an evaluation unit to verify accuracy and/or quality of the data recorded on the card body, with cards exhibiting incorrectly or defectively applied visible data being rejected as defective.

Abstract: A card read/write apparatus for reading or writing information from or into an IC memory region of a card comprises a card carriage formed with an IC exposure opening through which the IC memory region of the card is exposed when the card is placed on the card carriage, and a contact device having contact pins that is protruded into or retracted from the IC exposure aperture while being maintained to be in parallel with the IC memory region of the card so as to contact with or move away from the IC memory region of the card which is exposed from the IC exposure aperture.

Abstract: Read apparatus for chip cards with a housing (1) in which a contact support (3), with a number of contact pairs (4,4a) that corresponds to the number of read tracks and that can be connected by a limit switch (12), is held and a slide (6), operated by the chip card and acting on the contacts (4,4a) or the contact support (3), is guided such that, upon moving the card close to its end position, the contacts (4,4a) are pressed, on the one hand, firmly onto the contact field of the chip by means of the slide (6) and, on the other hand, the limit switch (12) is closed, wherein the limit switch (12) is arranged on the side next to the contact support (3) in the area between the card insertion slot and the slide (6), and wherein the slide (6) is equipped with a bar (13) having a tab (14) which reaches behind the contacts (12a, 12b) of the limit switch on the side of the card insertion slot with a spacing such that the limit switch (12) is closed by the entrainment of the slide (6) brought about by the approach of t

Abstract: A smart card reader includes a housing having a rectangular plan configuration and housing members secured together by sets of complementary overlapping tabs located at the four corners of the rectangular housing and joined together, as by welding. Some of the sets include locator elements on one of the tabs of the set for locating the overlapped tabs accurately relative to one another to assure accurate dimensions in the completed housing. A stiffener plate is secured to at least one of the housing members, as by welding at spaced apart locations along the stiffener plate, to add stiffness to the housing. A lead-in ramp assists in leading the smart card from an inlet section of the reader into an intermediate section of the reader for connection to an electrical connector located in a connector section of the reader.

Abstract: An automated document feeder for use with an image forming apparatus such as copy machine comprises a document feeder for feeding the document and a document support for supporting the document. The document support can occupy any one of three positions; a first position where the document on the document support is kept away from the document feeder, a second position where the document on the document support is in contact with the document feeder, and a third position where the document is out of contact with the document feeder but closer to the document feeder than the document at the first position.

Abstract: A card sensor to operate the entry shutter (120) of an ATM 50 as a magnetic sensor (118) in a well (116) on the lower surface of an entry slot (110). A pair of inverted U-shaped springs (134) project into the slot (110) beyond the sensor (118). When a card (113) complying with ISO standard 7810 is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed, the magnetic stripe (132) on the card (130) contacts the sensor (118), and the shutter (120) is opened. If a thinner card, such as a telephone card or a public transport ticket (140), is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed insufficiently for any magnetic stripe (142) on the card to contact the sensor (118).

Abstract: A recording medium processing device which performs writing or readout of data with respect to a magnetic card. The recording medium processing device includes a conveying mechanism which conveys the magnetic card and the conveying mechanism has a vibration actuator which is the drive source of the conveying mechanism. The vibration actuator includes an elastic member and electromechanical converting elements located on the elastic member. Drive rollers are in compressive contact with the elastic member and drive the magnetic card between a first position of entry into an automatic device, such as a pachinko machine, automatic sales machine or automatic ticket machine, and a second position for writing or reading the data from the recording medium. The recording medium processing device also has an information processing mechanism to write the data onto or read the data from the recording medium when the recording medium is at the second position.

Abstract: A card system prevents contacts of a smart card from being scratched by contact members of a card reader to prevent the smart card from malfunctioning. The smart card system includes a smart card having contacts and a perforation hole therein, a card reader body formed at an upper surface thereof with an aperture, a contact frame disposed within the aperture and having a plurality of contact members attached thereto so as to contact the contacts, a slide protrusion inserted into the perforation hole of the smart card when the smart card reaches a reading position in the card reader, and a detect switch for detecting the insertion of the smart card. The smart card system prevents the contacts of the smart card from being damaged, so that a malfunction of the smart card can be prevented. The smart card system has a simple construction, so it can be easily manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A card (12) is inserted by pushing against a rubber roller (44) at the leading end of the card (12). The action of the rubber roller (44) pivots an actuation lever (24) to actuate a switch (36), which, in turn, starts a motor (16). The card (12) is moved inwardly by the rotation of the rubber roller (44) thereby pushing the card against support legs (62) causing a pinion (58) to engage with a rack (56) mounted on a card holder (48). The card holder (48) then holds the card (12) and is driven by the pinion (58) causing hook portions (84a, 84b) of pushing arms (72a, 72b) to engage the trailing edge (12b) of the card (12) thereby connecting the card (12) with contact pins (22) of an electrical connector (20) by pushing the card at its trailing edge.

Abstract: A code card reader having a contact which can be moved vertically relative to a code card so as to be brought into contact with the code card at the contact-making area of an integrated circuit of the code card. In a preferred embodiment, vertical movement of the contact carrier toward the code card may be provided in response to horizontal movement of the code card by means of a kinematically rigid gear mechanism.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a mechanism for accepting a card recording medium having a plurality of recording sections includes at least one recording section including at least an IC chip. A recording/reproducing circuit performs at least one of a recording mode for recording information into the IC chip and a reproducing mode for reproducing the information from the IC chip, a transporting mechanism for transporting the recording medium to a first position in which the IC chip faces the recording/reproducing circuit, and a moving mechanism for, in order to bring the IC chip into contact or close to the recording/reproducing circuit, moving the recording medium transported to the first position by the transporting mechanism toward the recording/reproducing circuit to a second position in which the recording/reproducing circuit can perform at least one of the recording mode and the reproducing mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a SIM card reader which is especially adapted to be mounted in a device such as a telephone. To obtain a contact or contact engagement in the reading position between the card contacts and the reading contact elements transport or moving means for said card are provided which bring the card contacts and the contact elements into contact with each other. Preferably, the card together with its card contacts is moved by said transport means towards the stationary reading contact elements, without causing a relative movement between the card contacts and the contact elements. The transport means comprises card receiving means (receptacle) and actuating means.

Abstract: A card upside-down insertion preventive apparatus comprises a truncated corner portion formed at one end of a leading edge portion of a square card, a card tray disposed in a card insertion chamber communicating with a card inlet port, the card tray having a front abutment member and capable of moving in accordance with insertion of the card, the leading edge of the card being brought into abutment with the front abutment portion when the card is inserted through the card inlet port, a lock claw formed on the card tray, the lock claw being capable of displacing upwardly and downwardly in a direction perpendicular to the card insertion direction, a pressure receiving portion formed on the claw in a region within the truncated corner portion of the card which is in abutment with the front abutment member, the pressure receiving portion causing the lock claw to displace downwardly by being pressed by a non-truncated corner portion formed at the other end of the front edge portion of the card when the card is ins