Guides Patents (Class 235/483)
  • Patent number: 11941474
    Abstract: A card reader includes a pulling-out prevention member turnable between a closing position where a card moving passage is closed and an open position and preventing pulling-out of a card having been inserted into a card reader at the closing position. The pulling-out prevention member is provided with a main body member and a card abutting member which closes the card moving passage when the pulling-out prevention member is located at the closing position. A rear end of the card abutting member is capable of contacting with a front end of the card having been inserted into the card reader when the pulling-out prevention member is located at the closing position. The main body member of the pulling-out prevention member is formed of resin, and the card abutting member is formed of material having a strength higher than a strength of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Mochida, Kazunori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11906801
    Abstract: An optical receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing having housing walls defining a contact cavity and an optical cavity. The receptacle housing includes an upper wall and a lower wall at a front of the receptacle housing defining a card slot receiving a mating edge of an optical module circuit board of a pluggable optical generator module. The upper wall includes an upper wall opening above the card slot. A contact assembly having receptacle contacts is received in the contact cavity to supply power to the pluggable optical generator module to operate a light source of the pluggable optical generator module. A receive optical connector is coupled to the receptacle housing above the upper wall opening and mated with a supply optical connector of the pluggable optical generator module to receive optical signals from the supply optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GmbH
    Inventor: Eric David Briant
  • Patent number: 11899245
    Abstract: An optical receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing defining a contact cavity, an optical cavity, and a card slot at a front of the receptacle housing configured to receive an edge of an optical module circuit board. A contact assembly having receptacle contacts is received in the contact cavity and extend into the card slot to supply power to the pluggable optical generator module to operate a light source. The optical receptacle connector includes a receive optical connector coupled to the receptacle housing having a ferrule holding at least one optical fiber configured to be mated with a supply optical connector of the pluggable optical generator module to receive optical signals from the supply optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GmbH
    Inventor: Eric David Briant
  • Patent number: 11014764
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning box-shaped articles of various sizes on a conveyor belt, as well as a printing station, a reading station, and a labelling station including said apparatus. The apparatus comprises an input conveyor belt operable to move transversally with respect to an output conveyor belt conveying direction, to adapt to a transverse size of a transported box-shaped article, and feed said output conveyor belt with corresponding aligned article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Urs Müller, Tobias Scherer
  • Patent number: 10346832
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided to support the testing of card interface systems. Some embodiments provide apparatuses to support a card payment system during robotic testing, comprising: a frame configured to cooperate with the separate card payment system; a card chip guide extending from the frame and comprising a first and second card contact surfaces extending from the frame at a first position such that interior ends of the first and second card contact surfaces are configured to align with a card slot of the card payment system; and a card strip guide extending from the frame and comprises third and fourth card contact surfaces that taper with an alignment slot separating the third and fourth card contact surfaces, wherein the alignment slot is configured to align with a card slide of the card payment system when the card payment system is cooperated with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Fenton, Christopher D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9495676
    Abstract: A method of transmitting information to a mobile device includes providing a read head with a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card, a power supply coupled to wake-up electronics and a microcontroller. The wake-up electronics are powered by a microphone bias of a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Lamba, Amish Babu, Adam David Peter Rothschild, Michael Shyh-yen Ho, Gerald Thomas Ryle, Jack Dorsey, James M. McKelvey
  • Patent number: 9400467
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus of which the apparatus main body is provided with an IC card reader that reads data input to a noncontact IC card. The IC card reader is installed at an angle enabling a detection surface to face downward relative to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Shota Onishi, Masami Fuchi
  • Patent number: 9324100
    Abstract: A card reader is positioned in a housing that has length, height and width dimensions. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device and has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head has length, height and width edge surfaces. An asymmetric spring is coupled to the read head. The asymmetric spring positions the read head to be offset in the housing with the housing length and height edges being non-symmetrical in respect to the length and height edges of the read head. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot John Patrick Sather, Amish Babu, Gregory Staples, Jack Dorsey, James M. McKelvey
  • Patent number: 9305314
    Abstract: A method of transmitting information to a mobile device includes providing a card reader is provided with a read head, a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card and device electronics that includes an analog front-end and a microcontroller. The analog to digital front end is coupled to a processing element in the microcontroller. A raw magnetic head signal is received at the analog to digital front end. The raw magnetic head signal is converted into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. An output jack output jack signal is delivered to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Amish Babu, Kartik Lamba, Elliot John Patrick Sather, Adam David Peter Rothschild, Jack Dorsey, James M. McKelvey
  • Patent number: 9262757
    Abstract: A method of transmitting information to a mobile device has a card reader with wake-up electronics and a microcontroller, and a power supply coupled to the wake-up electronics and the microcontroller. Data is read on the magnetic stripe. A raw magnetic signal is produced indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The raw magnetic head signal is converted into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. An output jack signal is sent to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Lamba, Amish Babu, Adam David Peter Rothschild, Jack Dorsey, James M. McKelvey
  • Patent number: 9141950
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Wade, Dan Post
  • Patent number: 9065210
    Abstract: An efficient removal operation of a signal transmission medium is enabled with a simple configuration. A lock mechanism having a latch lock part, which retains an inserted state of the signal transmission medium by engagement with the signal transmission medium inserted in an insulating housing, is provided with an unlock maintaining part, which retains the latch lock part at a detachment position in conjunction with an unlock operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Narita
  • Patent number: 9038904
    Abstract: A card reader may include a card conveying mechanism structured to convey the card; a magnetic head which is structured to abut with the card and performs at least one of reading of magnetic data recorded on the card and recording of magnetic data on the card; a head moving mechanism structured to move the magnetic head in a longitudinal direction of the card; and an abutting part structured to abut with one end of the card in the short-side direction of the card. The head moving mechanism may be configured such that, while the card conveying mechanism holds the card in a state that the one end of the card in the short-side direction of the card is pressed against the abutting part, the magnetic head is moved in the longitudinal direction of the card to perform at least one of reading and recording of magnetic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Ishikawa, Kazunori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8978868
    Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: JCM American Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Johnson, Bryan Allen Wilcutt, Omar Jorge Rivera, Connie R Masters, Scott A Toth, Sr., Daniel Petersen, Brian Anthony Montano, Dominic Mohrhardt
  • Patent number: 8960404
    Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting hollow tongue forward of the casing. The forward-extending hollow tongue accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: JCM American Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Johnson, Bryan Allen Wilcutt, Omar Jorge Rivera, Connie R Masters, Scott A Toth, Sr., Daniel Petersen, Brian Anthony Montano, Dominic Mohrhardt
  • Patent number: 8960405
    Abstract: The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: JCM American Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Johnson, Bryan Allen Wilcutt, Omar Jorge Rivera, Connie R Masters, Scott A Toth, Sr., Daniel Petersen, Brian Anthony Montano, Dominic Mohrhardt
  • Patent number: 8944332
    Abstract: Automatic data collection devices such as barcode readers, RFID readers, magnetic stripe readers and the like may be tested using ADC device test executables, modules or processes stored at a variety of network locations. One or more sets of tests or work lists may be defined to facilitate testing. Tests may be identified by name and/or keyword. Keywords may be indicative one or more functionalities tested by the respective ADC device test module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Harding, Jeffrey K. Suhr, Nicholas P. Allen
  • Patent number: 8939375
    Abstract: A magnetic stripe reader apparatus comprises a first casing, a second casing, a magnetic stripe reader unit, and at least a connecting element. The first casing has an opening, a first positioning portion, and an adjustable fixing portion. The second casing has a second positioning portion disposed corresponding to the first positioning portion, and a through hole disposed corresponding to the adjustable fixing portion. The magnetic stripe reader unit is disposed between the first and second casings, and has a magnetic stripe reader head and a fixing element disposed on a side of the magnetic stripe reader head. In assembly, the connecting element passes through the through hole and connects to the adjustable fixing portion to fix the first and second casings. The second positioning portion and the first positioning portions hold the fixing element, and the magnetic stripe reader head is exposed from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Askey Computer Corp.
    Inventor: Chao-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 8844825
    Abstract: A system and a method for testing a magnetic stripe decoding chip are provided. The system includes a host, a digital-to-analog converter, and a testing device. The host outputs simulation signal data. The digital-to-analog converter receives the simulation signal data and generates a test waveform signal representing a test string. The testing device includes a signal input terminal, a signal conversion circuit, a chip slot, and a processor. The terminal receives the test waveform signal. The chip slot is configured to receive a decoding chip. The circuit includes a transformer connected between the terminal and the chip slot, and is configured to couple the test waveform signal into a pseudo track signal. The processor receives a decoded string generated after decoding the pseudo track signal by the decoding chip. Through comparing the decoded string with the test string, a decoding function of the decoding chip can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Uniform Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Tung-Jung Hsu
  • Patent number: 8622297
    Abstract: An anti-skimming assembly for a card reader device includes, for example, a displacement bar mountable on a front plate of a card reader device proximate a card entry opening formed in the front plate, which displacement bar has first and second legs. The displacement bar is mountable on the front plate with the first leg aligned with an internal read head inside the card entry opening of the card reader device. An infrangible fastener is connectible to the first leg through a first fastener opening formed in the front plate, and a non-conductive frangible or breakable fastener is connectible to the second leg through a second fastener opening formed in the front plate. In addition, first and second electrically conductive leads are carried by the non-conductive frangible fastener electrically connected to one another via an electrically conductive spring and connectible to an alarm circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Citigroup Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Yokomoto, Ian Kidman, Nhut Trung Ha, Joseph Butryn
  • Patent number: 8496182
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Mizawa
  • Patent number: 8474700
    Abstract: A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The machine also includes a PIN keypad. The card reader can send encrypted card data to the keypad. The keypad can decipher the encrypted card data. The keypad can encrypt both deciphered card data and a received user PIN. The card data and the PIN are usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: David N. Lewis, Jeffery M. Enright, Natarajan Ramachandran, Mark A. Douglass, Tim Crews, Songtao Ma, Randall W. Jenkins, H. Thomas Graef, Sathish M. Irudayam, Klaus Steinbach, Theresa Ipson, Frank Natoli, James E. Pettitt, Charles H. Somers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8418917
    Abstract: A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The machine also includes a PIN keypad. The card reader can send encrypted card data to the keypad. The keypad can decipher the encrypted card data. The keypad can encrypt both deciphered card data and a received user PIN. The card data and the PIN are usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems
    Inventors: David N. Lewis, Jeffery M. Enright, Natarajan Ramachandran, Mark A. Douglass, Tim Crews, Songtao Ma, Randall W. Jenkins, H. Thomas Graef, Sathish M. Irudayam, Klaus Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20130026218
    Abstract: A combination magnetic-stripe card reader with integrated contact-less chip card read/write functions, a direct replacement for a standard player tracking magnetic-stripe card reader installed in slot machines. It is a form, fit and function for existing player tracking readers, having the same front panel appearance, the same physical envelope, using the same mounting method, using the same cable connections and operating in the identical manner. The combined functions requires two command sets and a method to distinguish between them, the legacy command set of the existing reader to be replaced which is typically strings of American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) eight bit characters with a line terminator character and the contact-less chip card requiring the ability to send and receive all possible eight bit values with varying length commands and not having a dedicated character value to indicate the end of a command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8292182
    Abstract: In a process for reading the barcodes on the cylindrical elements and a system therefor, the system includes a working table having a transferring path and an inspection area on the transferring path, a shifting means driving a plurality of the standing cylindrical elements to gradually move along transferring path into the inspection area, an element barcode adhered on the outer all of the cylindrical element, a transmission means driving the cylindrical elements to self-rotate a certain rotation angle, an element reader reading the barcodes of the self-rotating cylindrical elements in order to automatically identify and record the information of the cylindrical elements entering into the inspection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mas Automation Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Sung Peng, Yen-Chih Lin, Chin-Lung Han
  • Patent number: 8256677
    Abstract: A holographic read only memory card which can be coupled to and read by a card reader to which electronic read only memory cards can also be coupled to and read by the card reader is disclosed. The holographic read only memory card comprises: a housing having a compartment for receiving a holographic storage medium; a holographic storage medium having stored thereon holographic data; and optionally a an electronics panel member having an electronic memory component which can be read by the card reader when the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader. The housing comprises one or more card locating members to thereby repeatedly position the holographic read only memory card each time the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader so that the holographic data can be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: InPhase Technologies, Inc., Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harris, Hiroshi Kamada, Motofumi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8245939
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for investing funds from pre-paid payment accounts. Funds from accounts within a payment system are invested on behalf of account holders of the accounts. Funds are invested in accordance with a risk strategy defined for the payment system (e.g. defining investment amounts and financial assets for investment). Payments and/or gains from invested funds are disbursed to the accounts of the account holders. Payments and/or gains are disbursed in accordance with disbursement rules for the payment system (e.g., based on percentages).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ifuel LLC
    Inventors: William Call, Kristen Call, Clayton Field Call
  • Publication number: 20120205447
    Abstract: An information reading apparatus includes: a transfer path for transferring an information recording medium (a passport); an image sensor which is placed in a frame constructing the transfer path and optically reads information recorded in the information recording medium (the passport); and non-contact communication antennas which send and receive information to/from an antenna or an antenna embedded in the information recording medium (the passport), through electromagnetic induction. The plurality of non-contact communication antennas are laid out in the frame constructing the transfer path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Masahiro IKEDA
  • Patent number: 8240573
    Abstract: A holding device which holds components of an electronic device, which is able to perform multiple functions on a vending machine is described. The device safely holds the components to ensure their proper performance even under hostile conditions. In one embodiment the holder includes a support for the printer paper, a lower back cover, an upper back cover, a main body and an anti-vandal front panel. The anti-vandal front panel protects the inner components from attack from the outside. The device also provides a display and permits the issuance of printed tickets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Pranasys S.A.
    Inventor: Alvaro Alejandro Cardozo Martinez
  • Patent number: 8210438
    Abstract: A card reader has a contact mechanism (IC contact block) coming into contact with a terminal (IC terminal pattern) of an integrated circuit mounted on a card, detection means (detection switch) for detecting that the card is inserted to a contact position at which the terminal and the contact mechanism are in contact with each other, locking means (locking lever etc.) for fixing the card to the contact position, and control means (CPU etc.) for controlling execution and release of locking by the locking means. As soon as the detection means detects insertion of the card, the control means executes locking effected by the locking means and after that, when the card is not activated in response to activation processing by the integrated circuit, release the locking of the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Orii
  • Patent number: 8196840
    Abstract: A keyboard (1) with a horizontally arranged card reader. The card reader has a card insertion opening (2) and a card holder section (3). The card holder section (3) defines a plane for placing a card on the upper surface of the keyboard (1). The card holder section (3) is arranged next to the card insertion opening (2), into which the card can be inserted substantially parallel to the plane defined by the card holder section (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Horst Hubner, Marcus Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8162217
    Abstract: A magnetic head is held by a side wall through a head fixing fitting so as to freely advance into and retreat from a card sliding groove. First and second head urging levers are swingably supported through a pin. In a standby state, the magnetic head is away from the card travel groove, and card engaging sections of the first and second head urging levers are staying in the card travel groove. When a magnetic card slides in a card sliding direction, the magnetic card makes contact with a card contact section to push the card contact section away from the card travel groove. This causes the first head urging lever to push out the magnetic head into the card travel groove so that the magnetic head makes contact with the magnetic card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kasai, Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Toshiyuki Ichikawa, Noboru Ishii
  • Patent number: 8141782
    Abstract: A card connector which can interchangeably couple a holographic memory card or an electronic memory card to a card reader and/or writer which can then read and/or write to the coupled holographic memory card or electronic memory card. The card connector comprises: a memory card receiving section which can interchangeably receive the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card; and one or more card positioning members which cooperate with one or more card locating members on the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card to thereby repeatedly position the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card each time the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card is coupled to the card reader and/or writer, and is in a fully inserted card position, so that data can be read from and/or written to the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: InPhase Technologies, Inc., Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harris, Hiroshi Kamada, Motofumi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8104687
    Abstract: A card reading device for vehicles having a base plate, a sliding plate part, and a spring part. The base plate has a vaulted groove, an opening surface located at one end, and an annular groove provided on the base surface of said vaulted groove. The sliding plate part is provided above the vaulted groove of the base plate, A bulging structure, contacts an inserted card and drives the sliding plate part in a direction vertical to the opening phase and facing away from the opening surface. A sliding part is provided on the side of the sliding plate part pointing toward the vaulted roof of the base plate. The sliding part slides in the direction parallel to the opening surface and is guided by the annular groove and restricted in the positioning thereof. The spring element and the base plate and the sliding plate part have contact with one another, and force is applied to the directed vertically to the opening surface. Fixing of the card and also easy removal are made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Hailong Hu, Lixin Xiao, Tang Yu
  • Patent number: 8100332
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for payments using pre-paid accounts. Embodiments of the invention provide a single, universal payment method that cannot be physically stolen, that minimizes the risk of information theft, and which can be used to make both small and large payments. The universal payment method is more convenient, more efficient, and less expensive to use because it requires no exchange mechanism from one payment form to another. In addition, to the extent that prior-to-payment funds are controlled by the businesses to whom payment is to be made, the buying power is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: IFuel, LLC
    Inventors: William Call, Kristen Call
  • Publication number: 20110253789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an identification system, comprising an information carrier or a group of such information carriers, which allow a clear association of information. The invention further relates to the use of said information carriers, and to a device for reading said information carriers, wherein the information carriers are associated with a random action of a data processing system by way of the structured information layer thereof or can trigger such action. The invention furthermore relates to information carriers for access control systems, payment systems, ticket systems, and marketing application. According to the invention, overlaps of the information layer can be provided by applying additional layers, which achieve several advantages according to the invention, such as optically rendering the information layer unrecognizable, and resulting increased safety of the information carrier against manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Thiele, Sascha Voigt, Andre Kreutzer, Matthias Foerster
  • Patent number: 8028922
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a card reader into which a card is inserted and which reads out information carried on the card; a power supply unit which supplies power to the card reader; a detection unit which detects the insertion of a card into the card reader and the ejection of a card from the card reader; and a control unit which controls the power supply unit. When the detection unit detects the insertion of a card, the control unit causes the power supply unit to start the supply of power to the card reader, and when the detection unit detects the ejection of the inserted card, the control unit causes the power supply unit to shut off the supply of power to the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Iwashima
  • Patent number: 8002186
    Abstract: A laser power control arrangement and method in an electro-optical reader for reading indicia includes an energizable laser for emitting a laser beam having an output power along a path. An internal light detector, e.g., a monitor photodiode, is mounted inside the laser for monitoring the output power of the laser. An external light detector, e.g., an auxiliary photodiode, is mounted outside the laser for monitoring the output power of the laser independently of the internal light detector. A guide, advantageously a light pipe or a diffuser, is positioned outside the laser in the path of the laser beam for guiding the laser beam from the laser to the external light detector. A controller is operatively connected to each light detector, for controlling a monitored output power of the laser beam by deenergizing the laser when the monitored output power of the laser beam exceeds a safe power level limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vinogradov, Mark Drzymala, Darren Handshaw, Yuly Mitelman, Rong Liu
  • Publication number: 20110168921
    Abstract: Described is a dosimeter reader for reading a plurality of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensors of a dosimeter sled and for reading an RFID tag on the dosimeter sled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: R. Craig YODER
  • Patent number: 7926724
    Abstract: An article transport material loaded with an article on a base and used for transport includes noncontact communication means for conducting noncontact communications with a noncontact IC tag put on the article and portable power supply means for supplying electric power to the noncontact communication means, wherein the communication direction of the noncontact communication means is directed to the area above the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Wakahiro Kawai
  • Publication number: 20110006118
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Mamoru Mizawa
  • Patent number: 7837092
    Abstract: An electronic device and an ejection device for ejecting a separable device from the electronic device are provided. The ejection device includes a first arm, a second arm, a tray, and a tray guide. The first arm includes a pivot. The second arm is fixed on the first arm such that an angle is formed therebetween. The tray includes a base plate which has a second arm guiding element extending in a first direction on its bottom surface. The tray is movably connected to the tray guide such that the tray is movable in a second direction. When the first arm rotates relative the pivot, the first arm also compels the second arm to rotate about the pivot. In the meantime, the second arm moves along the second arm guiding element to drive the tray moving along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Chuan Wen
  • Publication number: 20100276494
    Abstract: A card reading device for vehicles having a base plate, a sliding plate part, and a spring part. The base plate has a vaulted groove, an opening surface located at one end, and an annular groove provided on the base surface of said vaulted groove, The sliding plate part is provided above the vaulted groove of the base plate, A bulging structure, contacts an inserted card and drives the sliding plate part in a direction vertical to the opening phase and facing away from the opening surface. A sliding part is provided on the side of the sliding plate part pointing toward the vaulted roof of the base plate. The sliding part slides in the direction parallel to the opening surface and is guided by the annular groove and restricted in the positioning thereof. The spring element and the base plate and the sliding plate part have contact with one another, and force is applied to the directed vertically to the opening surface. Fixing of the card and also easy removal are made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmBH
    Inventors: Tang Yu, Lixin Xiao, Hailong Hu
  • Publication number: 20100264220
    Abstract: A keyboard (1) with a horizontally arranged card reader. The card reader has a card insertion opening (2) and a card holder section (3). The card holder section (3) defines a plane for placing a card on the upper surface of the keyboard (1). The card holder section (3) is arranged next to the card insertion opening (2), into which the card can be inserted substantially parallel to the plane defined by the card holder section (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Horst Hubner, Marcus Kuchler
  • Publication number: 20100252630
    Abstract: A card processing device has a card insertion section into which a card is inserted, a card receiving section in which the card is received with a rear end section of the inserted card exposed from the card insertion section, a reader that reads information recorded in the card received in the card receiving section, a holding member that holds a front end section of the card and, in response to a card-pulling operation by an operator, releases the front end section of the card , and a detector that detects that the card is at a position held by the holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinya Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7802727
    Abstract: A memory card connector having user identification functionality is provided. The memory card connector has a connector and a cover. The connector encloses a space in which a memory card module and a user identification module are disposed, wherein a partition disposed in the space separates the memory card module and the user identification module, and wherein the memory card module is adapted for receiving a memory card and the user identification module is for receiving a user identification card. The memory card module has a conductive terminal set at one end thereof and the user identification module has a conductive terminal set at a backside thereof for providing user identification functionality. The cover covers a top of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Chung-Jung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20100213260
    Abstract: The ticket processing system utilizes RFID technique to record and access data in the parking tickets. The ticket processing system mainly contains at least a ticket reader positioned at the entry of the parking lot. A first antenna in the ticket reader writes data into a ticket having RFID chip and a second antenna at a ticket retrieval opening of the ticket reader erases data from the ticket. The ticket processing system further contains a number of third antenna at the various parking spots which records a spot number into the ticket to facilitate the later locating the whereabouts of the parked vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Yung Wen
  • Patent number: 7766234
    Abstract: An information receiving apparatus including: a reader receiving information stored in an information storage medium; and a body processing the information received by the reader, wherein the reader is assembled with the body in such a way that a insertion portion 212 in contact with the information storage medium is capable of being exposed to the outside and hidden in the inside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Bixolon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Ik Nam
  • Patent number: 7721970
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a card reader that defines a fixing hole in a sidewall thereof, and forms a first connector in a rear wall thereof, includes a chassis, a bracket slidably mounted to the chassis, a pair of first resilient members, and a locking member. The chassis includes a front wall defining a first opening for the card reader passing therethrough. A second connector is mounted to the bracket, corresponding to the first connector of the card reader. The first resilient members are connected between the chassis and the bracket. The first resilient members are stretched when mounting the card reader. The locking member includes a retaining member mounted to the chassis, and a securing member mounted to the retaining member via a second resilient member. The securing member includes a securing portion protruding therefrom for engaging with the fixing hole of the card reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Chi Liang, Hsuan-Tsung Chen, Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 7703684
    Abstract: An information input and output device for communicating information with an information recording unit of a card, includes a card support unit that includes a card support surface for sliding the card while supporting the card from one surface side, a card end unit that includes a card end surface provided to protrude from the card support surface, and an input and output executing unit that is positioned to face the information recording unit of the card when the card is slid on the card support surface while abutting the card against the card end surface, and that executes at least one of reading of the information from the information recording unit and writing of the information to the information recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Inubushi, Koki Atobe, Makiko Otomi, Shuho Nishimura, Takahiko Daijo, Shigehito Mukasa