Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for reading data from either a magnetic stripe, a chip or both a magnetic stripe and a chip located on a data card using a single swiping motion. An aspect of the methods and apparatus described is that movement of a data card is detected, restrained and/or prevented during exchange of information between the reader and any integrated circuits located on the data card. One embodiment includes guiding walls that form a channel and that are connected to a receiver having an interior surface, a magnetic reading head mounted on one of the guiding walls, electrical contacts located on the interior surface of the receiver and a latch extending at least partially across the channel formed by the guiding walls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for reading data from either a magnetic stripe, a chip or both a magnetic stripe and a chip located on a data card using a single swiping motion. An advantage of the methods and apparatus described is that movement of a data card is detected, restrained and/or prevented during exchange of information between the reader and any integrated circuits located on the data card. One embodiment of the invention includes guiding walls leading to a receiver having an interior surface, a magnetic reading head mounted on one of the guiding walls and electrical contacts located on the interior surface of the receiver. In addition, the receiver is configured to resist the removal of the data card when the data card is located within the receiver.