Abstract: A chip card reader comprises a contact support and a card receiver. The card receiver can be moved back and forth in the contact support so that, when a chip card is inserted in the card receiver, the card receiver is moved (lowered), together with the card, toward the contacts in the contact support.

Abstract: The contacting device described is designed to contact the contacts of boards of different sizes with preferably the same contact pattern, using a chip board reader which is adapted by means of a board holder, preferably a SIM board holder, in such a way that the SIM board can be read with the chip board reader.

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: A card reader-writer includes a body provided with a card inserting opening into which a card to which reading and writing of information can be made is inserted, magnetic heads arranged in the body to read and write information from and on the card, and a device for carrying the card which is inserted into the card inserting opening to the magnetic heads. The carrying device includes a card chucking unit for chucking the card and a carriage for moving the chucking unit along a certain passage. The position of the card chucked by the chucking unit is corrected by a card position adjusting or correcting unit.

Abstract: A card reader having an antiabrasion member for preventing a bottom surface of a card checking passage of the card reader from card contact abrasion. This antiabrasion member is easily inserted in a mold before an injection molding of a main body of the card reader and prevented from displacement in the mold, and allows a magnet head to be easily changed with new one to provide a good compatibility of the magnet head. The plurality of notches prevents the antiabrasion member from being horizontally displaced in a mold and are provided at both sides of the member, and engage with individual ribs of the mold when the member is located in the mold. The slit is provided as a result of lateral cutting of the member between the notches. The resilient part integrally extends from a side of the member near the slit and allows the slit to be inserted in a rib of the mold, and prevents the member from being vertically displaced in the mold.

Abstract: The present patent application discusses a low profile information card chamber (107) used in a radiotelephone (101). The information card chamber accepts, retains and makes electrical contact to an information card (105). The information card chamber (107) makes electrical contact to the information card when the information card is properly inserted (105). The electrical contacts are located on the lower platform (213) of the information card chamber (107). Upon inserting the information card (105) into the information card chamber (107), the information card (105) is translated away from the electrical contacts (205). Prior to being fully inserted, the information card (105) is translated towards the electrical contacts (205). The two translational devices allow an information card (105) to be inserted into the information card chamber (107) without excessive wiping of the electrical contacts (205) by the information card (105).

Abstract: A reading head mounting arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a base having a top surface and extending from a side thereof an upright mounting member for mounting of a reading head in proper spaced relationship from the top surface of the base for reading of a information containing stripe attached to a card. Preferably, the base has downwardly projecting portions at either end thereof to provide on and off ramps for a credit card being slid over the base, whereby when the arrangement is installed in a magnetic stripe reading terminal having a slot for passage of a credit card past a magnetic stripe reading head, the change in elevation of the base relative to the remainder of the slot provides a user of the terminal with positive feedback that the card is properly positioned in the slot. Accuracy in positioning the strip for movement past the magnetic head is predetermined during the manufacture of the mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data card having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has at least a bottom wall portion defining a bottom guide surface of a guide slot for the data card and one major side wall portion defining one side guide surface of a guide slot. An access window is formed in the major side wall portion. A mounting arrangement mounts the transducer at a prearranged location within the access window for accurate detection of data stored on the data track as the data card is manually swiped through the guide slot.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a housing having a card conveying path, a guiding mechanism for guiding one surface and one side edge of an information recording card having bisected data areas along the conveying path to permit the card to be conveyed in the conveying path, two pressing members for pressing the card against the guiding mechanism by abutting the other side edge of the card, a drive shaft for conveying the card in the conveying path, rotatable around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the conveying path and disposed in almost middle of the two pressing members, and a distance between the two pressing members being set longer than a length of the card along the conveying path.

Abstract: A reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track located at a prearranged data track position thereon. The reader assembly includes a transducer means having at least one data pickup element on a front face thereof. A guide means defines a guide slot having first and second side wall members and a bottom wall member adapted to guide a data carrier through the reader assembly, the first side wall member having an access window formed therein for permitting communication between the transducer means and the data carrier. A frame means carries the transducer means in a prearranged location thereon.

Abstract: A data input/output apparatus comprises a card mounting portion on which a data memory card having data input keys is freely, detachably mounted. The mounting portion has an opening so that the keys on the mounted card can be operated. In addition, the card is routed to the mounting portion by a guide means and then mounted in the mounting portion. Then, the data memory card is positioned in the main unit of the data input/output apparatus accurately.

Abstract: In an apparatus for magnetically or optically reading documents and selecting the same, a belt following a closed, continuous, U-shaped path transfers a document from a sending slot to a receiving slot chosen by a computer unit housed in the apparatus body.

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 bar code wand reader adapted to read a bar code disposed on a narrow surface such as an edge of a printed wiring board is shown to include a bar code wand reader adapter (32) affixed to an end of a bar code wand reader (34). The adapter includes a fore surface having a slot (30) provided therein. The slot is adapted to hold the bar code wand reader at a constant distance and position from the edge of the narrow surface having the bar code disposed thereon. With such an arrangement, the bar code reader is held at a proper disposition as the bar code wand reader is passed over the bar code disposed on the narrow surface. The latter provides a proper reading with a single passing and prevents the necessity of numerous attempts at reading the bar code.

Abstract: A chip card receiver is divulged comprising an opening 59, a first connector 54 for thick cards 57 guided by first fixed guide means 65, 63. It has a second connector 52 for thin cards 53, slanted with respect to the direction in which the thick cards 57 are introduced and guided. The thin cards 53 are deflected and guided by a spring 61 in the direction of connector 52. The thick cards 53 cannot pivot in opening 59 and when they are introduced therein they cause spring 61 to retract.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively reading or writing data on a magnetic data stripe on a data card which is thin and flexible and for selectively returning or capturing the card. The apparatus includes a card guide arrangement comprising a cylindrical card guide path section, an entrance card path section with an entrance slit for admitting the data card, and an exit path section with an exit slit for discharging the data card for capture. A drive arrangement drives the data card through the entrance slit, throughout the cylindrical card guide path section, and through the exit slit. A transducer with a read head and write head is mounted relative to the cylindrical card guide path section. A position tracking arrangement determines the position of the data card within the cylindrical card guide and a card-in sensor senses the presence of a data card in the entrance path section. A microprocessor based control circuit is used to operate the system and control operational features.

Abstract: A card reader receives electronic chip cards of different thicknesses incing relatively thick and thin chip cards, each card having electrical interface connection terminals thereon. The reader includes a front panel having a card introduction opening. A first mating connector is positioned to engage the interface connection terminals of the thick chip cards. A fixed first guide positions the interface connection terminals of the thick cards into engagement the first mating connector. A second mating connector is positioned to engage the interface connection terminals of the thin chip cards. A moveable second guide means guides the interface connection terminals of the thin chip cards into engagement with the second mating connector. The second guide is retractable under action of introduction of the thick cards against a resilient return means.

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 reader for reading data recorded on a magnetic stripe on a card includes a guide for guiding the card along a path past a transducer head. A gimbal arrangement mounts the head on the end of a mounting shaft which is journaled in the end of an arm for free rotation about an axis parallel to the stripe as it moves along the path. The arm swivels about a transverse axis perpendicular to the stripe and is biased to bring the head into the guide path through a head opening. The head has a leading bevelled surface so that a card inserted in the path will lift the head which will then ride firmly on the stripe. By virtue of the free rotation of the head about an axis parallel to the stripe, the device adjusts for any lack of parallelism between the head and the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner includes a hood member having one end secured to the scanning head portion of the scanner. The other end of the hood member has a receding edge portion for help in supporting the scanner when positioned on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data carrier having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has a read head bracket which is snap mounted thereto. A registration arrangement permits mounting of the read head bracket in two registered positions for determining which of multiple data tracks will be read by the transducer.

Abstract: A data terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data carrier having at least one data track formed thereon and having a predetermined track width. The terminal housing has a card guide slot with a read head mounted next to the slot. The bottom wall section of the card guide slot has an upper surface characterized by a downwardly tapering portion extending from an apex point substantially underneath the data pickup transducer such that a data carrier being swiped through the guide slot is more likely to maintain contact between the bottom of the card and the apex point and thus have sufficiently accurate registration between the pickup transducer and the data stripe for accurate detection of data recorded thereon.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal having a reader assembly for reading a data card having data stored on at least one data track thereon. The terminal includes a housing defining a guide slot location for the data carrier and a transducer for detecting data stored on the data track. A removable guide element is mounted to the housing at the data carrier slot location. This guide element has at least a bottom wall portion defining a bottom guide surface of a guide for the data card and one major side wall portion defining one side guide surface of a guide slot. An access window is formed in the major side wall portion. A mounting arrangement mounts the transducer at a prearranged location within the access window for accurate detection of data stored on the data track as the data card is manually swiped through the guide slot.

Abstract: An apparatus (570) for forming a window in which printed characters on an item such as an envelope can be read. The apparatus (570) comprises a base member (572) fastened to a planar horizontal surface (508) and positionable intermediate a reader device (50) and an on-edge envelope. The base member (572) has an elongated vertical slot provided (576) therein. A slide member (584) has a bottom edge which includes a dimpled portion. The dimpled portion of the slide member (584) fits into the elongated vertical slot (576) of the base member (572). The base member (572) carries a block (578) which accommodates a screw (582) for selectively adjusting the position of the bottom edge of the slide member (584) relative to the base member (572). A bottom edge of the slide member (584) and a portion of the elongated vertical slot (576) below the bottom edge of the slide member (584) form a read window through which characters are readable.

Abstract: A credit card reader extender comprising an elongate generally rectangular body having a top side, a bottom side, a central portion and two end portions. The central portion has a generally rectangular opening therethrough extending from the bottom side to the top side and is adapted to be received over and to fit closely around a card reader of a card reading machine. The card reader is generally elongate and has a slot therein extending downwardly from the top side thereof into the card reader and longitudinally parallel to an elongate axis thereof. The end portions of the body each have a slot extending downwardly from the top side thereof into the body end portion and longitudinally parallel to an elongate axis of the body and in alignment and in registry with the slot in the card reader.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus is provided wherein an information recording medium and an optical head are moved relatively in a track direction in a reciprocal manner to record optical information on the information recording medium and/or reproducing optical information recorded on the information recording medium. The apparatus is arranged such that when a defect is formed on a stopping position of the relative movement of the optical information recording medium and the optical head, the optical information recording medium or the optical head is stopped at a deviated position from the predetermined stopping position; and the deviated distance of the relative movement of the optical information recording medium and the optical head is corrected when relative movement between the optical information recording medium and the optical head is resumed in an opposite direction to the previous relative movement direction.

Abstract: An alignment and transport roll made of flexible material has a curved cross section and comprises a ring like thicker outer circumferential part. The outer part of the roll 1 is deflected in an alignment direction, by a variable thickness item to be transported such as a passbook. Upon rotation of the roll or movement of the paper, the item is aligned and transported. The alignment force is generated in the same direction regardless of the direction of movement of the item. Such a roll can also be provided with a supporting structure on one side to avoid alignment in the wrong direction when the roll flips over as happens when the roll is deflected in the wrong direction. The roll and supporting structure, or roll along can be joined in a pair of rollers coacting with each other. A roll or roller pair can be used in any alignment unit. The preferable use is in a passbook printer to align the passbook for printing purposes and for reading the magnetic stripe on the passbook.

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: An IC card reader comprising card positioning or guide means, optionally means for verifying that the card is present in the reader in a position suitable for being read, and contact elements for providing electrical connection with conducting pads on the IC card, whereby circuits are established with the apparatus containing the IC card reader. The reader further comprises: a rocking lever (400 including a central pivot (41); an actuating cam (47) on one side of the pivot and against which a card (2) being inserted comes to bear at the end of its insertion stroke, thereby pivoting the lever from a rest position to a pressure-applying position; a pressure cam (51) on the other side of the pivot for bearing against the card when the rocking lever is in its pressure-applying position, thereby bending the card towards the contact elements (4); and resilient return means (45, 46) returning the rocking lever to its rest position when it is not engaged by a card inserted in the reader.

Abstract: Data can be recorded onto an optical card (102; 200; 601; 800) on which a plurality of tracks are parallelly arranged and can be reproduced therefrom. The optical card is supported by card supporting means (101; 501). This card supporting means is reciprocated in a first direction by card drive means (109; 511). An optical head (103; 503; 603) is provided above the optical card to selectively provide access to tracks by a light beam. This optical head is reciprocated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by head drive means (108; 507). The reciprocating motion of the card supporting means is accelerated and decelerated when the optical head scans on guide sections (G) provided on both the sides of the optical card. Error correcting codes are added to data recorded onto the optical card. Thus, error correction is made by an error correction circuit (136). Motors of respective drive means are enclosed with vibration proof metal (321, 323) and vibration proof rubber (322).

Abstract: An optical reading device which is capable of being assembled readily and assures stabilization of the distance between a sensor of the reflecting type and a surface of a medium to be read by the sensor. The sensor is carried on a holding member, and an engaging member is pivotally supported on the holding member at a location spaced from the sensor. A screw shaft and a guide shaft extend in parallel to each other and to an axis of pivotal motion of the engaging member. The screw shaft has a spiral groove formed thereon for meshing engagement with a toothed portion formed on the engaging member or the holding member and is rotated to move the holding and engaging members therealong. A record medium to be read by the sensor is fed in a direction perpendicular to the screw shaft. A contact element is provided on the holding member for assuring a minimum distance between the sensor and a surface of the record medium to be read by the sensor.

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: There is disclosed a guiding device for use with a computer mouse, the device comprising a body, a friction strip provided on an edge member of the body for securing the mouse to the body while allowing the mouse to operate on a working surface, a bearing fixed to the body, a roller including a horizontal shaft having a longitudinal axis and two ends, the shaft being rotatable in the bearing, the bearing being axially translatable on the shaft, the roller further including working surface engaging wheels fixed to each end of the two ends, the roller substantially supporting the body, and a sight connected to the body for guiding the device to trace an image on the working surface, the device being able to be moved on the working surface in a direction of the axis by a translation of the bearing on the shaft and in a direction perpendicular to the axis by a rolling of the wheels on the working surface.

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: Methods and apparatuses for forgery security, issuing and monitoring or reducing the value of data carriers such as value cards, entitlement cards, travel tickets, etc., are described, the data being written into a magnetic layer. According to the method, physical authenticating features of the data carrier are evaluated as inhomogeneities in the magnetic layers which carry the data. Suitable data carriers comprise an individual and characteristic inhomogeneity produced, for example, by fluctuations in thickness, discontinuities (13) etc. The second side of the data carrier (1) is provided with an absorbent coating (15) which serves to receive ink sprayed on by an ink jet printer. For reading and/or coding the data carriers which are provided with two magnetic strips (12, 12') independently of the position of the data carriers, there are in an apparatus two reading-writing heads (60, 60') and two pressure applying rollers (61, 61.degree.

Abstract: A card reader for reading data strips carried on cards, the reader having a housing with an input slot carrying a removable card alignment tray to receive the cards. A sensor is used to detect the presence of an inserted card and cause the card, once sensed, to be drawn in by card driving mechanisms and forced into, and held, in alignment. Alignment is three dimensional in that the card is held against two perpendicular guides and flat against a window. A detector senses when the card is in its aligned position and actuates an optical scanner to scan the data strip on the card. Scanning is through the window, assuring that the plane of the card is correct. When scanning is completed, the input mechanism is reversed to eject the card.

Abstract: Disclosed is a read/write apparatus for magnetic card, which includes a card conveyance passage along which a flexible magnetic card is guided. The passage has a direction changing portion where the direction of the passage is gradually changed, and a downstream portion where the passage extends vertically of the apparatus. By virtue of this arrangement the apparatus can be small in depth size and have a thin body.When an additional insertion button of the apparatus is depressed by a customer, zero value is written on the magnetic card and the card is returned. Upon insertion of an additional card, the sum of the balance of the additional card and the previous card is transmitted to an external information processing unit installed in a vending machine, to permit a single sales operation within the sum of the balances.

Abstract: A connector device for electrically connecting an IC card to a reading and/or writing apparatus. A first guide defining a transport path for the IC card is arranged within a casing having an insertion opening for the IC card. The transport path for the IC card extends from the insertion opening. A second guide extends in inclined relation to the transport path. A contact-probe support is guided by the second guide. The contact-probe support has supported thereon a plurality of contact probes projecting toward the first guide and an elastic arrangement biasing the contact probes toward the first guide. An abutment is associated with the contact-probe support and is arranged in crossing relation to the transport path.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and reproducing information, an information recording medium is reciprocated relative to a head for effecting information recording and reproduction, under such conditions that one end of the recording medium is urged against a guide member extending in a direction of the reciprocation of the recording medium.

Abstract: A contacting apparatus for a chip-card is provided. The contacting apparatus can be located for instance in an automatic teller machine or a telephone. The chip-card can be inserted into the contacting apparatus by an operator. If the chip-card is located in the contacting apparatus, the inadvertent removal of a card located in a card reading position might be undesirable. The contacting apparatus of the invention protects against such inadvertent removal of the card by including a protective collar which surrounds the end of the chip-card extending out of the contacting apparatus, or device within which the contacting apparatus is arranged, when the card is in its reading position.

Abstract: In the computer scaling and cropping of artwork where the artwork is mounted on a digitizer tablet and a digitizer cursor moved in relation to the artwork to provide dimensional and angular data for the computer, a guide (10) comprises formations (15a, 15b, 15c) for the location of the cursor body and marking edges (13, 14) aligned with the cursor center.

Abstract: A document track for use in a check encoding machine or typewriter comprises a workhead positioned in a slot in a wall of the track, the slot being positioned transverse to the direction of movement of a document in the track, the slot closed off by a flexible strip held flush with the inner surface of the wall by means of first and second support brackets and first and second support arms. As the workhead moves up and down the slot, the flexible strip passes around the workhead such that only a working surface of the workhead is exposed in the slot, the rest of the slot being screened off flush with the inner surface of the wall by the flexible strip.

Abstract: A fare collection ticket transport mechanism transports tickets along an open longitudinal slot with a portion of the ticket projecting sideways out of the slot so that a patron depositing the ticket in the mechanism can see it while it is being transported and can grasp the projecting portion to release it if it becomes jammed. The portion of the ticket within the slot passes over read, write and verify components of the mechanism. The slot has a side wall or guide projecting out of the slot for guiding the projecting portion of the ticket. The guide has spaced notches to permit a patron to grasp a ticket and vertical ridges or lips at the outer edge of the guide act as stops for the outer edge of the projecting portion of a ticket to prevent the ticket from moving transversely out of the slot.

Abstract: The card guide device is for supporting a card and includes a stationary guide and a movable guide for transport. The movable guide is movable toward and away from the stationary guide. A pair of card guide grooves are respectively formed on each of opposed surfaces of the stationary guide and the movable guide. Each groove has an inside dimension larger than the thickness of the card to be transported therethrough.

Abstract: A system for reading a data record stripe on a credit card which includes an injection molded case including a card guide slot integrally molded into the case near one side thereof and a read head window integrally formed in one sidewall of the card guide slot. A data read head assembly having a read head on a front face thereof is mounted in the read head window and is spring biased toward the wall of the card slot opposite the read head window. A circuit arrangement is coupled to the read head assembly for detecting data signals on a card passing through the slot and converting the data signals to a substantially square wave signal pattern representing binary signal data in the form of positive and negative signal transitions of the square wave signal.

Abstract: In an optical memory card reading device of the type comprising a card feeding means for feeding a card inserted into an insertion inlet into the device, an optical reader means for illuminating the memory surface of the optical memory card thus fed in and receiving the reflected light rays from the memory surface and a circuit for converting the information read out by the optical reader means into an electric signal which in turn is analyzed to detect the contents in the memory, an optical memory card reading device characterized by the provision of a card cleaning means which is disposed adjacent to the card insertion inlet for cleaning the memory of the inserted card.

Abstract: A reader/writer for an IC card as an external memory is constructed with a carriage longitudinally movable in a casing which is normally held in a waiting position. The carriage is held by a spring and moved to an operating position by manually inserting the IC card engaging therewith against the force of the spring. A block having contact pins is snugly embraced by the carriage and is adapted to vertically move relative to the carriage when the carriage is moving to the operating position by sliding up a sloped floor to establish an electrical connection with contact points on the IC card.The IC card is held by angularly movable hooks actuated by a lever to be moved by the carriage. The hooks are retracted by disengaging the lever from a latch. Concurrently, the carriage is returned to the initial waiting position to eject the IC card out of the casing.

Abstract: A credit card telephone station adapted to permit the initiation of telephone calls in response to the movement of a credit card having a stripe of magnetic characters on one face thereof past a magnetic card reader includes a housing for containing a telephone receiver-transmitter and circuit means including a magnetic card reader for enabling a call to be made. A telephone handset and supporting hook switch is provided and dial means accessible from the exterior of the housing is utilized for dialing calls. The telephone station includes a credit card receiving slot structure having an open edge accessible from outside the housing to permit a magnetic stripe containing portion of the credit card to be moved along a slot while manually gripped by a user. The slot structure includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls, one of said walls having a window defined along a longitudinal path of movement for the credit card.

Abstract: A modularized roller assembly for holding a flexible, magnetically encoded card moving in a feeding direction through a channel against a curved transducer surface.

Abstract: A system for generating a unique signal indicative of a particular identity carried by a card. The card has a series of zones along the sides thereof with holes extending through one or more of the zones. A receptacle is provided for the card, the receptacle including a longitudinal internal slot and a series of opto-electronic sensors which are spaced along the slot such that when the card is inserted within the slot, one of the sensors is positioned in registration with each of these zones. The card and the receptacle are formed such that the card can be inserted in the slot in only one proper orientation. One or more of the sensors is employed solely for determining proper insertion of the card.