Abstract: A card feeding device for feeding a rectangular card along a card feeding direction that intersects a line across the width of the card at a right angle. The card feeding device includes a guide mechanism for leading guide portions provided at side edges of the card along the card feeding direction, a drive roller for elastically contacting a first side edge of the card, and a facing roller positioned opposite to the drive roller for freely and rotatably contacting a second side edge of the card opposite the first side edge of the card contacted by the drive roller. An axis of rotation of the drive roller is displaced, in a direction opposite to the card feeding direction, from an axis of rotation of the facing roller, such that the drive roller and the facing roller hold the card and feed the card directly in the card feeding direction.

Abstract: A card reader includes a pad-roller supporting mechanism having a pad roller block for supporting a plurality of pad rollers for transporting a card inserted into a card traveling passage in cooperation with a plurality of drive rollers supported by a main-body block. The pad roller block is pivotally supported by the main-body block about pivotal shafts provided in parallel with the card traveling passage so as to be openable and capable of causing each of the pad rollers to come into contact with and move away from each of the drive rollers. A spring member is disposed on the main-body block and a pressing plate supported by the pad roller block and the spring member between an operating region and a nonoperating region of the spring member so as to be capable of being engaged with or disengaged from the pad roller block and the spring member, for imparting to the pad roller block a rotating urging force in a direction in which the pad rollers approaches the drive rollers.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for a card medium having an optical signal in bar code form written thereon. The optical reading apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving cassette holding the card medium, and a light source for projecting a light beam spot on the optical signal written on the card medium. A reader reads the optical signal by moving the light beam spot in a scanning direction along the optical signal to scan the optical signal, and a guiding device moves the cassette in a direction substantially normal to the scanning direction, as the card medium held in the cassette is inserted into the receiving section. The optical signal written on the card medium is optically read while the cassette is being moved by the guiding device.

Abstract: An integrated card programming device for programming an integrated circuit card. The integrated circuit card programming device has a base, a card input platform, and a transport. The transport is operably connected to the base and rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The transport includes a transport arm radially disposed about the rotational axis. A card picker carriage is mounted on the transport arm. The card picker carriage has two picker arms. One or more personalization stations for programming an integrated circuit card are radially disposed about the transport. The personalization stations can program the cards to the French or ISO standards and are rotatable 180.degree..

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information in or from a card information recording medium with a recording and/or reproducing head, includes a carriage on which the medium is to be mounted, a carrying device for carrying the medium onto the carriage while keeping in contact with the medium, and a moving device for moving the carriage relative to the head. The carrying device is arranged to be free contact with the medium after the medium has been carried onto the carriage. The carrying device is a semicircular rubber roller, and a surface of a flat part of the rubber roller is placed in a state opposed to a surface of the medium after the medium has been carried onto the carriage, whereby the rubber roller is freed from contact with the medium.

Abstract: A card C having a predetermined thickness is guided by guide grooves formed in corresponding projecting portions of a card slot to enter. When the leading end of the card C is brought into contact with the lower edges of contact portions of a shutter member, the shutter member is pivoted about the front end sides of arm portions. A shutter plate arranged on the rear end side of the shutter member is moved upward to allow the card C having the predetermined thickness to pass deep. If a card C' having a thickness smaller than the predetermined thickness enters, a regulation portion projecting from the lower portion of the shutter plate of the shutter member is located lower than the bottom surface of a card passage. The leading end of the card C' having the smaller thickness is brought into contact with the regulation portion to prevent the card C' from entering deep.

Abstract: A recording medium card having a card substrate (20a) made of a flexible material, and a recording portion (21) for visually recording necessary items in a part of the card substrate are disclosed. The recording portion (21) has a reusable indication layer, consisting essentially of an organic compound whose crystal aggregates upon application of heat in a first temperature zone and diffuses upon application of heat in a second temperature zone different from the first temperature zone, on which the necessary items can be visually recorded and erased upon application of heat. An area (24a) is formed in a part of the card substrate, for recording information indicating the number of card use times, equivalent to the number of times data has been recorded and erased on the indication layer.

Abstract: Apparatus consisting of a flat, two-dimensional array of laser/photo diodes; an optical storage card positioned below the array; and a mechanism to move the card in both the X- and Y-directions to position the laser/photo diode array over any one particular location on the card. A further mechanism serves to move the card in the X- and Y-directions and angularly to provide an initial alignment of the card with respect to the laser/photo diode array. Yet another mechanism moves the card in the Z-direction for focusing purposes. A laser/optical interface positioned between the laser/photo diode array and the card which is formed of an array of collimating and focusing holographic micro lenses (HOE) with surface diffraction patterns. An electronic section functions as an interface between a central processing unit (CPU) and the lasers and photo diodes of the array. The optical storage card is a thin, re-writable phase-change type.

Abstract: An information recording medium cleaning device includes moving the recording medium and the cleaning device relative to each other and a detection device for detecting a degree of stain caused by dust, fingerprints or oil, for example, on the information recording medium. Cleaning is performed based on the degree of stain detected on the information recording medium.

Abstract: An optical card recording/regenerating apparatus performs at least either recording or regenerating while reciprocating an optical card with respect to an optical head. At this time, the apparatus drives the optical card so that the relative speed between the optical card and optical head will be constant over a data division of the optical card and part of ID divisions in the vicinities of both edges thereof. When the relative speed becomes constant, the apparatus performs at least either recording or regenerating. The apparatus offers a smaller drive length. This realizes downsizing of an optical recording/regenerating apparatus and reduction of an access time.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from an optical card, including a plurality of control system units and a driving system unit; in addition the control system units are arranged to be exchangeable. A user selects one of the control system units, which corresponds to an arrangement of an optical card to be used, and applies it to the apparatus, while the driving system unit select operational parameters of the optical card and an optical head which are suitable for driving the optical card to be used in response to a command from the selected control system unit, so that a plurality of optical cards each having a different arrangement can be applied for only one optical card apparatus.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing information by holding an information recording medium on a mount table and reciprocating the mount table relative to a recording/reproducing head, includes a loading device for loading the recording medium into the mount table and a setting device for setting the position, on the mount table, of the recording medium loaded to the mount table by the loading device. The setting device sets the recording medium in association with the loading operation of the loading device.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a housing having a movable front panned in which a card inserting slot for loading an optical card is formed, a cleaning device, provided detachable to the inside of the housing in a card conveying passage on the side of the card inserting slot, for cleaning the optical card to be conveyed, a shuttle reciprocal in the conveying passage in the housing along the conveying passage while holding the optical card, and a lock mechanism capable of locking the shuttle in the conveying passage on the card inserting slot side. The lock mechanism is controlled to lock the shuttle when the cleaning device is detached from the housing, and unlocking a lock state of the lock mechanism when the cleaning device is attached to the housing.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a head for performing recording of information on and/or reproduction of information from a recording medium, a carriage on which the recording medium is loaded and being adapted to be movable relative to the head, a first detector for detecting a loading position of the recording medium with respect to the carriage, a second detector for detecting a position of the carriage in a moving direction and a circuit for outputting a signal representing that the medium is loaded at predetermined position with respect to the head on the basis of outputs from the first and second detectors.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing information on/from an optical card having a plurality of tracks. The apparatus comprises a frame having a convey path for the optical card, an optical head for recording/reproducing information on/from the optical card, the optical head being movable in a direction perpendicular to information tracks on the optical card, an moving mechanism for moving the optical card along the convey path relative to the optical head, and a detecting mechanism for detecting the amount of movement of the optical card. The detecting mechanism has two drive rollers which are put in contact with the optical card to rotate in accordance with the movement of the optical card.

Abstract: A shuttle for loading thereon an optical card having upper and lower surfaces and right and left edges and for moving the card relative to a head to read/write information from/on the card, comprises a base, a reference end face connected to the base and abutting against the right edge of the card to guide the card, card stop members attached to the base and abutting against upper surface of the card to guide the card, a push plate attached to the base to be movable relative to the base, and abutting against the lower surface of the card to support the card with the card being interposed between the push plate and the card stop members, a mechanism for pressing the card against the card stop members by abutting against left edge of the card, and mechanism for releasing the card from pressure of the pressing mechanism when the push plate moves with respect to the base.

Abstract: There is provided an optical card processing apparatus comprising: a card holder which is supported to a guiding mechanism so as to be reciprocated and is formed with an optical card holding portion on a lower surface; a card loading/ejecting mechanism, arranged at a card inserting port, for detecting an optical card and for attaching and detaching the optical card to and from the optical card holding portion of the card holder. A card inclination correcting mechanism is arranged for the card holder, for making a track line direction of the optical card coincide with a moving direction of the card holder. A card transfer mechanism in which a pair of pulleys are arranged along a moving path of the card holder, an endless belt is wound between the pair of pulleys, a proper portion of the belt is coupled with the card holder, and one of the pulleys is coupled with a drive motor which rotates in a single direction.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a card carriage. The card carriage is provided in the opposite sides thereof with card holding plates, respectively. The card holding plates have each a groove into which a corresponding lateral edge of an optical card is inserted. At least one of the card holding plates is supported in a cantilever fashion on a card carriage through a flexible portion thereof. The upper surface of the card carriage has an upper ridge formed at a portion close to one lateral edge of the optical card. The upper surface of the card carriage oppositely faces the rear face of the optical card. The inner edge portion of the one card holding plate is provided at a position away from the outer ridge at a predetermined distance with an inner ridge.

Abstract: A shuttle for mounting a card-like information recording medium for use in an information recording/reproducing apparatus in which the card-like information recording medium is relatively moved with respect to an information recording/reproducing head to record information on the medium and/or reproduce information therefrom, in which a condition that the card-like information recording medium is held between a plate member and counter members is easily released with the aid of rollers for use in feeding the card-like information recording medium or projections formed on the plate member and/or counter members. Therefore, it is possible to decrease a load which acts on a loading motor for driving the rollers to insert and remove the card-like information recording medium in and from the shuttle; in addition to this, the loading motor can be made compact.

Abstract: A card reader has a guide channel followed by a connector and it includes a cradle pivoting about a stationary axis, a roller whose axis is parallel to the stationary axis being mounted in the cradle with freedom to move in translation along a direction .increment. perpendicular to the roller axis, said direction .increment. being at an acute angle .alpha. to the direction in which the guide channel extends, the cradle including resilient return means urging the angle .alpha. to close and drive means acting on command and of greater power than said return means to urge said angle .alpha. to open. The roller includes resilient means urging it along the direction .increment. towards the vertex of the angle .alpha.. When the reader is in the rest position, the roller obstructs said channel, when a card is fully inserted in the reader, at least a portion of the card remains outside the reader, the cradle being in abutment in a position where the angle .alpha. is less than the angle .beta.

Abstract: Magnetic characters arranged in a row on a check are read in an apparatus effecting relative linear displacement between the check and a magnetic reader. The displacement is effected either by manually removing the check from the apparatus, or by manually moving the reader.

Abstract: A reading device for an integrated circuit card includes a slide movable in an insertion direction of the integrated circuit card between a rest and an operational position and is loaded by a spring in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. The slide is blocked in its rest position by a locking device switchable between a blocking position and first and second release positions. The locking device is loaded by a further spring in the direction of the blocking position when the integrated circuit card is not inserted. At the end of an insertion movement of an integrated circuit card past a read position into an adjacent over position, the locking device is switched into its first release position by the integrated circuit card, whereby the slide is moved from its rest position into its operational position. During movement of the slide, a contact carrier is moved into contact with contacts on the circuit card.

Abstract: A composite card reader (11) used for IC cards, magnetic cards and the like to which the card is manually inserted and extracted is disclosed. The composite type card reader (11) has a shutter lever (28) for opening and closing a card inlet (13), a locking mechanism for locking the card by closing the shutter lever (28), and a lock releasing mechanism for releasing the lock by opening the shutter lever (28). A shutter closing lever (32) included in the locking mechanism and a shutter opening lever (30) included in the lock releasing mechanism can be alternately engaged with a roller (38) included in a link mechanism (29) coupled to the shutter lever (28). In order to maintain the lock released state by the lock releasing mechanism, a shutter linked lever (80) which is moved in relation to the shutter lever (28) has its position regulated by a slider (19) which slides in response to the insertion of the card (12).

Abstract: A card carrier in use with an optical data record/reproduction system for reading data from and writing data to a card, including a press contact slide member (26, 27) which prevents a table for carrying the card from being tilted and deviated from a predetermined traveling direction, and a table drive member which prevents the transfer of a vibration to the table. With this arrangement, data is exactly written into and read out from the card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical card reader that detects any relative inclination of the card by measuring the relative motion of the optical tracks themselves. The optical card reader comprises a card holding portion, an optical head having the ability follow data tracks on the optical card, and a detector that measures the angle of inclination of the optical card from a tracking signal generated from a one-dimensional relative movement of the card holder and the optical card.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus according to the invention includes an emergency conveying device for conveying an information recording medium on a carriage member from an information recording and/or reproducing position to an ejecting port. The emergency conveying device includes a device for moving the carriage member to the ejecting port by coming into engagement with the carriage member. A gear (20) is manually actuated in case of a power failure so as to manually move the carriage (3) toward the discharge area.

Abstract: A memory cartridge loading/unloading device is disclosed which loads and unloads a memory cartridge from an apparatus for using the memory cartridge by means of motor driving. In the loading/unloading device, until the memory cartridge reaches a given position within a main body of the apparatus, the memory cartridge is pulled in by rotating a roller which presses against the memory cartridge such that there can be produced a given friction force with respect to the memory cartridge. When the memory cartridge reaches the given position, then an engagement member is brought into engagement with the memory cartridge and then the engagement member is moved in a cartridge insertion direction by means of motor driving, so that the memory cartridge can be pushed into a connector disposed within the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An optical card recording apparatus comprises a card holding member (17) on which an optical card is loaded at a predetermined position, a driving device (12,14,15,16, 17G,22,24,25) for moving the card holding member (17) in relation to a fixed member, and a movement control device (45, 51) operative to control the driving device (12,14,15,16, 17G,22,24,25) so as to place the card holding member (17) at a reference position in relation to the fixed member and then to move the card holding member (17) from the reference position or a position at which the card holding member (17) reaches after moving from the reference position by a selected distance in a predetermined manner, so that record tracks are formed on the optical card in a predetermined arrangement by a light beam caused to be incident upon the optical card loaded on the card holding member (17).

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a movable shuttle on which an information recording medium is mounted, a movable head for reproducing or recording information from or on the information recording medium mounted on the shuttle, a shuttle lock mechanism for locking the shuttle, a head lock mechanism for locking the head, and a drive source and a link member for commonly driving the shuttle lock mechanism and the head lock mechanism.

Abstract: A reader/writer device for flexible data cards is disclosed. The device includes a pair of pivotal arms which are adapted to receive a data card in a flat position and then to bend the card into a substantially cylindrical shape. A rotatable transducer is located so that its axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the cylindrically bent data card. The recording medium on the data card faces the transducer such that the transducer scans in lines which are parallel to the data tracks set forth on recording medium. High speed data reading and writing may be accomplished in this manner.

Abstract: An optical card recording and reproducing device including an optical head for emitting a light beam spot to the optical card having a plurality of parallel data tracks to which data is recorded; a transfer system for transferring the optical card and/or the optical head; and a track number confirmation means for confirming the track number recorded in the address data area in the data track of the optical card. The optical card recording and reproducing device also includes a transfer stopping means for stopping the optical head when an incorrect track number is deleted. The system minimizes the relative transfer distance between the optical card and the optical head, and at the same time, the total relative transfer distance of the optical card and/or the optical head when confirming the track number more than twice. Thus, the total time required for track number confirmation can be greatly shortened.

Abstract: In a card reader for reading information from a card which may contain the information as optical, magnetic, electronic or physical data, inside a casing is provided a carriage which carries the card and is adapted to be conveyed from an outer position to an inner position by a linear drive mechanism. By not using a pair of drive and pinch rollers as opposed to conventional card readers, the card is free from contamination by the rollers, and the operation reliability of the card reader is improved. Further, the elimination of rollers also contributes to the reduction in the overall height of the card reader. The clamp mechanism for securing a card to the carriage may be provided with interlocking means which prevents the movement of the carriage until a card is securely gripped by the clamp mechanism.

Abstract: An IC card reader for reading an IC card, or reading and writing the IC card, the IC card reader including a withdrawing member (16) for withdrawing the IC card (5) and an L-shaped member (9) engaged with a projection (6) of the withdrawing member (16) for moving the IC card (5). The L-shaped member (9) is rotatably mounted on a door (7) of the IC card reader (1) for withdrawing the IC card (5) by opening the door (7). When the door (7) is opened, the IC card (5) is withdrawn, and when the IC card (5) is to be inserted, it is pushed in by closing the door (7). The card reader is sealed by the closed door (7).

Abstract: The IC card reader includes card positioning and guide means and contact elements which provide electrical connections with conducting areas on the IC card, via which circuits are established with the apparatus in which the IC card reader is incorporated. The card reader includes, in particular, a carriage (8) which is moveable relative to a contact frame (3), having a rest position that it occupies when there is no card in the reader, being urged into its rest position by return means (RA), and an actuated position into which it is thrust by a card (100) inserted in the reader. The carriage (8) is arranged to co-operate with the contact elements (35, 36) in such a manner that when in its rest position, the carriage (8) causes the contact elements (35, 36) to be held in a rest position in which they lie off the insertion path (62) of a card, and when in its actuated position, the carriage (8) causes the contact elements (35, 36) to bear against the contact positions of the card.

Abstract: A linear oscillatory motion device capable of producing a linear oscillatory motion from a continuous rotation of a motor in one direction with a desired speed variation, with smooth and stable motion without an abrupt change in acceleration. The device includes a crank mechanism with variable stroke which converts the rotations of the motor into oscillatory motion; and guiding cam which controls the stroke of the crank mechanism according to a shape of said guiding cam means defined such that in at least one part of the linear oscillatory motion an acceleration of the object changes continuously resulting in linear oscillatory motion of the object. The optical card read/write apparatus featuring such a linear oscillatory motion device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A passbook printer has a print head movable along a printing station and in opposed relation to a platen for printing data on the passbook. The printer has an optical reading head assembly which is movable independent of the print head and in a direction of the path of the passbook past the printing station. The optical reading head assembly is positioned at the printing station for reading page and line information from the passbook and then is moved to a position adjacent the printing station for permitting the print head to freely move along the printing station.

Abstract: A card conveying structure for card accessing devices, comprising: a casing defining a card inlet and a card guideway; a drive pulley and a driven pulley supported on one side of the card guideway by a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, respectively, defining a zero or small angle relative to a vertical line perpendicular to a major surface of a card guided by the guideway; and an endless belt passed around the two pulleys, effective diameters of the first and second pulleys being selected in relation with spacings of the pivot axes relative to the card guideway so that a linear span ofthe belt may extend along the guideway and abut the major surface of the card. By urging the linear span of the belt against the card, the card may be conveyed by the movement of the belt. Alternatively, by slanting at least one of the pulleys towards the guideway until its periphery or the belt passed around it comes into contact with the card, the movement of the belt or the pulley can be transmitted to the card.

Abstract: In a card reader for reading information from a card which may contain the information as optical, magnetic, electronic or physical data, inside a casing is provided a carriage which carries the card and is adapted to be conveyed from an outer position to an inner position by a linear drive mechanism. By not using a pair of drive and pinch rollers as opposed to conventional card readers, the card is free from contaimination by the rollers, and the operation reliability of the card reader is improved. Further, the elimination of rollers also contributes to the reduction in the overall height of the card reader. The clamp mechanism for securing a card to the carriage may be provided with interlocking means which prevents the movement of the carriage until a card is securely gripped by the clamp mechanism.

Abstract: A reader/writer apparatus for an optical memory card for reading and/or writing data with respect to the optical memory card having a data storing face, which apparatus comprises a card holder including a carriage carrying and holding the card inserted and transporting the card to a reading or writing position and a feeding mechanism for driving the carriage. The reader/writer of the present invention may further comprise an optical waveguide holder holding an optical waveguide, which is connected, at a base end thereof, to the light emitting and receiving section of a reading head, so that another end of the optical waveguide may oppose a data recording face of the optical memory card. The waveguide holder is moved independently of the movement of the car holder. The reader/writer apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a regulating member for regulating the angular position of the card.

Abstract: A card connector capable of preventing the contact pieces from applying a resilient contact force to a card when the card is inserted in and removed from the card connector. Thus, the card may be readily inserted and removed with a small force. If the card is not inserted in a normal posture with the wrong side up or with the rear end first, the card is automatically discharged from the card connector.

Abstract: An optical card recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a fixed optical head for scanning the surface of the card with a light beam, a shuttle for holding an optical card, and a motor for moving the shuttle with respect to the optical head. The moving position of the shuttle is detected by a rotary encoder coupled to the motor. The detection output of the encoder provides data which represents the relative positional relationship between the shuttle and the optical head and is used to control the moving speed of the shuttle in such a way that a data area on the optical card is scanned by the light beam at a constant speed. The state in which the optical card is loaded in the shuttle can also be detected, and this detection output is used to compensate for the detection result of the rotary encoder. As a result, the moving speed of the shuttle can be controlled in accordance with the relative positional relationship between the optical head and the optical card.

Abstract: A cleaning device comprises a cleaning member having a cleaning surface adapted to abut against a recording surface of an information recording medium, apparatus for holding the cleaning member, apparatus for moving the cleaning surface of the cleaning member, and apparatus for moving the hold means relative to the recording surface.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe encoding apparatus (24) encodes information onto a magnetic stripe (22) of a card (20). A card carriage (26) moves the card (20) along a card transport path between a top rail (28) and a bottom rail (30). The magnetic stripe (22) passes an encoding write head (36) and a read head (40) for writing and verifying information on the stripe (22). Heads (36, 40) mount on a bracket (44) which allows only twisting motion and movement toward and away from the card (20) so that good contact is maintained between the magnetic stripe (22) and the heads (36, 40). One embodiment of the card carriage (26) includes spring biased pawls (60, 62) which are biased into the card transport path for engaging the card (20) and rotate away from the card transport path so that the pawls 60,62 do not engage the card (20).

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a mount table on which an information recording medium is mounted, a structure for reciprocating the mount table relative to a recording and reproducing head, and an energy storer for decelerating the mount table in a deceleration mode, storing an energy generated during the deceleration and transducing the stored energy to a kinetic energy of the mount table in an acceleration mode to accelerate the mount table.

Abstract: A reader-writer apparatus for an optical memory card for reading and/or writing data with respect to the optical memory card having a data storing face, which apparatus includes a card holder including a carriage for carrying and holding the card inserted thereon and transporting the card to a reading or writing position and a feeding mechanism for driving the carriage. The reader/writer in another aspect of the present invention includes an optical waveguide holder holding an optical waveguide, which is connected at a base end thereof to the light emitting and receiving section of a reading head, so that another end of the optical waveguide may oppose a data recording face of the optical memory card. The waveguide holder is moved independently of the movement of the card holder.

Abstract: A method which eliminates ink marking of die on a wafer uses a printer to print information of the test results in a digitally formatted manner. This information, preferably on a piece of paper, is then transferred with the wafer to a die bonder which selects the good die to be further processed.

Abstract: The present invention describes linear reciprocating motion device comprising an object which is movable exclusively in a prescribed direction, a cam groove which is formed on a closed curve, a linking rod whose one end is connected to the object and its the other end is engaged with the cam groove, and methods for moving the other end of said linking rod along the cam groove with a prescribed angular velocity. The moving methods with angular velocity comprises a crank arm whose length is free to be increased or decreased, with its one end connected to the other end of the linking rod and rotates in the interior of the closed curve, and a motor that causes the crank sub-arm that is linked to the crank arm to rotate at a constant speed.

Abstract: A reader and/or writer for an IC card as external memory, which has an angularly movable arm and an extended lever longitudinally movable respectively for locking the card at the trailing edge and a carriage holding the card at the same time and adapted to be concurrently disengaged from the locking so as to assure reliable reading and/or writing without adverse affection of locking force on the IC card. A contact head having a plurality of contact points to be electrically connected with those of the card is held by a link mechanism so as to assure a stable relative movement therebetween for automatic cleaning regardless of varied thicknesses of the cards.

Abstract: A contact member supporting member is pivotably supported to a slide member which abuts on a part of an IC card to be inserted and is moved by the IC card. When the slide member moves, the supporting member also moves. The supporting member is swung in the direction of the IC card by fixed cams. Thus, contact members of the supporting member come into contact with contacts of the IC card. Since the contact member supporting member moves together with the IC card, the contact members do not slide on the surface of the IC card. Therefore, the abrasion of the contact members and the damage of the IC card which are caused by the slide friction between the contact members and the surface of the IC card, and the like can be prevented.

Abstract: A card accessing apparatus is provided which includes a stage unit for supporting a data storage card with a data storage area of the card facing downwardly, a housing including a bottom plate, for housing the stage unit, and a stage feeding unit supported on the bottom plate for reciprocating the stage unit. A read/write head is disposed under the stage unit, to read and write data on the data storage area of the card. A head feeding unit is supported on the bottom plate to drive the head unit to a position under the stage unit to access the data storage area of the card.