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 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.