Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation can include an encoder reader located in a fixed position at a workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip, a workpiece carrier movable along a path of travel through the workstation, and having an encoder strip connected thereto, the encoder strip operably interacting with the encoder reader located at the workstation, and a non-direct drive or friction drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier along the path of travel through the workstation, the non-direct drive or friction drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader in a closed loop feedback control system. The encoder reader can be selected from a group consisting of an optical encoder reader, a magnetic encoder reader, and any other absolute positioning encoder reader.

Abstract: A paper money receiving/discharging apparatus includes a reel for winding/rewinding a tape therearound, a wheel for winding/rewinding paper money together with the tape therearound, a holding conveyer for holding the paper money conveyed from outside of the paper money receiving/discharging apparatus, so as to convey the paper money in a direction of the wheel at a convey velocity, and an assist roller provided on a paper money conveyer passage between the holding conveyer and the wheel, abutting on the tape, to be rotatable following thereto, and for sending the paper money in a direction of being wound around the wheel while holding the paper money together with the tape. The tape is wound around the wheel at a velocity which is lower that the convey velocity of the paper money as conveyed by the holding conveyer.

Abstract: In a card reader (40) with at least two transport rollers (23, 24, 25) for the card (3) arranged one after the other in the card infeed direction, the transport rollers (23, 24, 25) are provided on a pivot arm (21, 22), which can be pivoted against the action of a restoring force in a plane at right angles to the card path, at a distance from the pivot axis (26, 27) of the pivot arm (21, 22). When a transport roller on the pivot arm is deflected by the card thickness of a card that has been fed in, all transport rollers lying further from the pivot axis are also deflected, i.e. pivoted out of the card path, by more than the card thickness.

Abstract: The personalisation of intelligent portable objects such as smart cards is performed on a device having a support with, on one of its faces, locations intended to receive the objects (1) to be personalised. Remote from this face, equipment for electrical personalisation (40) of the objects is disposed. A graphical printing station is provided to operate upon objects located on the support, which is moved with respect to the graphical printing station (5). The electrical personalisation and the graphical printing take place at lest in part simultaneously.

Abstract: A recording medium dispensing machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a main body having a carry in/out opening through which a recording medium to record predetermined information thereon is carried in/out. Inside the main body is provided a storage device to store a plurality of recording media in a stacked manner. The recording medium dispensing machine is further provided with a carrying device that carries the recording medium back and forth between the storage device and the carry in/out opening, and a storage/feeding device which causes a recording medium stored in the storage device to separate or protrude from/into a carry path formed by the carrying device, and whereby causes the recording medium carried by the carrying device to be stored in the storage device, while causing the recording medium stored in the storage device to be fed from the storage device by the carrying device.

Abstract: The card processing apparatus is capable of reissuing a card-shaped storage medium and omitting a trouble of collecting accommodated card-shaped storage media. The card processing apparatus comprises: means for processing the card-shaped storage medium, which reads data from and writes data in the card-shaped storage medium; means for transferring the card-shaped storage medium, which has been accommodated in a card accommodating section; a movable guide section distributing the card-shaped storage medium to the card accommodating section or a card outlet according to a position thereof; means for changing the position of the movable guide section; and a control section selectively feeding the card-shaped storage medium to the card accommodating section, outside of a card inlet or outside of the card outlet.

Abstract: A smart card handling device with a communication board attaching unit including a first base attached to the card handling device and a second base for carrying a set of one or more communication boards for communicating with a non-contact type smart card or a contact type smart card along a transporting passageway. The first base and the second base have a complementary mounting to suitably mate together. The communication board attaching unit can selectively pivot to enable a recycling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing a document traveling along a document path within a document validator. The such apparatus includes a disk where a periphery of the disk extends into the document path of the document validator, a support shaft that passes through a center hole of the disk, the shaft loosely supporting the disk and allowing the disk to rotate around the shaft in a predominant plane of the disk and to freely move in the predominant plane of the disk in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and a resilient member that biases the disk into the document path to engage a side edge of the document when the document is misaligned with the document path as it travels along the document path thereby retarding forward movement of the side edge and rotation of the document into alignment with the document path.

Abstract: A banknote receiver for use in a ticket vending machine, money exchange machine, or the like is constructed to include a housing with a banknote insertion slot, a detector unit formed of an upper base and a lower base and mounted in the housing and adapted to scan the authenticity of banknote inserted into the banknote insertion slot, the detector unit defining an angled passage between the upper base and the lower base for guiding inserted banknote away from the banknote insertion slot to the banknote storage cabinet, and a banknote storage cabinet adapted to receive verified banknote, the banknote storage cabinet having a spring member suspending in the banknote inlet thereof and adapted to prohibit reverse movement of received banknote.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus transports materials along an incline. The apparatus includes an endless base conveyor belt that is tensioned between lower and upper end rollers and is aligned with the incline. A drive means drives the base belt at a selected speed and in a selected direction along the incline. An endless hanging overhead conveyor belt is provided above the base belt, and has a substantially flat conveyance surface for covering materials placed on the base belt. A drive roller of the hanging overhead belt is coupled to the upper end roller of the base belt so as to drive the hanging overhead belt at a speed and direction similar to that of the base belt. The hanging overhead belt extending toward and in proximity to an input transport conveyor for transporting articles at a speed slower than the speed of the hanging belt.

Abstract: A loading mechanism of this invention that draws a card into a body unit and ejects the card outside of the body unit is so constructed as to include a movement member that moves to a drawing direction and an ejecting direction of the card by means of power of a drive motor, and an engagement member provided to the movement member so as to engage with and disengage from a recess of the card. In this construction, the engagement member is engaged with a recess of the card to thereby move the card together with the movement member to the drawing direction and the ejecting direction.

Abstract: An IC contact unit is described which includes an actuator, such as a solenoid, that is miniaturized by using transfer force of an IC card, and the whole apparatus is made compact and consumed electric power is reduced. An IC contact unit includes a movable support provided with an IC contact point capable of coming in contact with a terminal of an IC card and is characterized in that guide portions for guiding the movable support are provided in a unit main body, guide members to be inserted in the guide portions are provided at the movable support, a pawl member to be engaged with an and portion of the IC card is formed at the movable support, the pawl member is projected to a card transfer surface by an actuator, and the movable support is moved by transfer force of the IC card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gear arrangement actuated by a control motor. The motor can be reversed in its rotational direction in order to emit a chip card of a tachograph for example. The gear arrangement is provided with a slide-rod for each reading/writing unit, the slide-rod being embodied in the form of a toothed rack being able to be displaced in the direction of movement of the chip card. A control slider which is actuated by the control motor is coupled gearwise to the slide rods so that when the control slider is displaced, the slide rods carry out a movement in opposite directions.

Abstract: An IC card reader comprises a card transport path for passing an IC card, an abutting portion and an IC contact, which contacts a contact terminal pattern of the IC card and is capable of coming close to or being distanced from the IC card. The IC card reader further comprises a card discharge port, which is provided at the rear end of said card transport path, regulation means for regulating a distance between said IC contact block and the card transport path, a driving portion for releasing control of the distance and a stopper for aligning the IC contact block to the card transport path. When the IC card left on the card transport path needs to be discharged from the card discharge port, control of the regulation means is released so that the abutting portion and the IC contact are distanced from the card transport path at least to a position such that the IC card cannot contact thereagainst.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a device main body, card controller, and device controller. The use of the device main is permitted by inserting an authentic user identification card on which personal information of a holder is recorded. The card controller detects removal/insertion of the user identification card from/into the device main body during a power-off state. The device controller displays a warning representing removal/insertion of the card on the basis of the detection result of the card controller in power-on operation. A unique information management method for the electronic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A card processor which maintains security against unauthorized reading of the magnetic data recorded in the card and improves operability by suppressing offensive feeling to the customers includes a card carriage control unit which rotates carrier rollers in a direction in which a card is taken in by the interior of the main body until the card is held by the pair of carrier rollers closest to the insertion port. Therefore, the customer who inserts the card does not receive offensive feeling such as supporting something with the card that occurs when the leading end of the card comes in contact with the carrier rollers that are halting. As the card is held by the carrier rollers, further, the card carriage control unit intermittently carries the card so as to be taken in by the main body. Even in case an unauthorized card reader is attached to the front surface of the insertion port, therefore, the card data are not read out without authorization.

Abstract: A keyboard housing is built of one piece of material, with the keyboard housing being formed of an upper housing shell and a joining S-shaped lower housing shell. In this regard, the keyboard housing is preferably of resinous plastic. The keypad and, for example, the keyboard electronic circuitry are contained in the upper housing shell, with the auxiliary components being the lower housing shell.

Abstract: A recording medium reading device is disclosed that allows visual confirmation of receipt of a recording medium, such as a card. The device can be used in a transaction apparatus, to effectively prevent dishonest acts such as stealing a card or retrieving information read from a card. As a result, use of cards and other recording means can be made more secure. The recording medium reading device can include a receiving portion, into which a recording medium is received, conveyance means for conveying the recording medium inside, reading means for reading information recorded on the recording medium, and control means for controlling these elements. At least a portion of the receiving portion is an observation enabling member, through which a recording medium received into the receiving portion can be visually confirmed from outside.

Abstract: A motorized card reader module (10) having a throat portion (14) defining an entry/exit slot (16) for receiving cards (78) is described. The module (10) includes a sweeping mechanism (28) comprising one or more arms (62) coupled to a driving mechanism (64, 66). The arms (62) include a hook portion (68) for catching any obstruction present in the throat portion (14). When the driving mechanism (64,66) is energized the arms (62) sweep horizontally across the slot (16) defined by the throat portion (14). This enables the arms (62) to detect and/or remove any obstruction within the throat portion (14). A self-service terminal (80) for preventing fraud and a method of preventing fraud using the module (10) are also described.

Abstract: A transaction system (104, 144) includes a customer station (116, 146) and a service provider station (112, 148). Items such as medical items, are passed between the service provider and the customer station through item transport devices (118, 154). An enclosure (10) positioned at the customer station houses a payment terminal (16) therein. A movable cover (14) is moved responsive to inputs to a remote control device (36) at the service provider station to enable a customer at the customer station to access the payment terminal. Through inputs to the payment terminal, the customer is enabled to make payment for items that are provided to the customer by the service provider.

Abstract: A card package production system (30) for producing card packages each with at least one card (48) bearing card information at a plurality of different card information locations on the card (48) with a card multireader (54) having an elongate card track (52) with a succession of reading stations located along the track (52) with readers for respectively reading the card information at the different locations on the card (48) with means for simultaneously sliding a plurality of the cards (48) along the track (52) in seriatim relationship through the succession of reading stations of the multireader 54 for simultaneous reading of the card information at the different locations on the cards (48) by the multireader (54).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for verifying and tracking identification information. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for delivering security solutions is provided that includes at least one of the following: a radio frequency (RF) identification device, an identification mechanism (e.g., a card, sticker), and an RF reader.

Abstract: In a paper money receiving/discharging apparatus, having an enlarged receiving capacity of paper moneys, and in a paper money conveyer apparatus, enabling decelerated/accelerated delivery of the paper money, while preventing it from buckling and folding thereof, the paper money is delivered between holding conveyer means 300 and 301 for holding and conveying the paper money to conveying the paper money, in the delivery of the paper money, and holding means 30 and 51, having a friction coefficient lower than that of the holding conveyer means, are provided between the holding conveyer means 300, which is provided in an upstream side, and the holding conveyer means 301, which is provided in a downstream side.

Abstract: A bank-note processing device (51), which prevents bank-notes received in a stacker from projecting into a bank-note transfer passage interfering with the next processing and which has a bank-note reverse-flowing preventive lever (80) that includes, at least, a first lever (25) turnably supported through a first shaft (26) and having a length smaller than the outer diameter (21a) of a bank-note guide drum (21), a first urging device (28) for constantly urging the first lever (25) toward a bank-note transfer passage (4), a first stop (32) for preventing the first lever (25) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than at a predetermined angel of rotation, a second lever (79) turnably supported on the front end (25c) of the first lever (25) through a second shaft (74), a second stop (76) for preventing the second lever (79) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than a predetermined angle of rotation, and a second urging device (77) for constantly urgin

Abstract: A holder and reader for two or more data cards for a radio communication device, the holder including a body having formations for releasably carrying the two or more data cards and being adapted to be removably installed in the data card reader of the device.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a unique type of form to be used with an optical mark sensing device known as a mark read scanner for reading marks on the form. Form characteristics are defined by “graphic switches” printed near the lead edge of the form. Each “graphic switch” has four distinct settings. The expense of completely replacing the internal program of a scanner when a user requests a variation of a test form that had not been pre-programmed into the original specification of the scanner is eliminated.

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus comprising a traveling bucket having a medium receiving opening inside and a medium ejecting opening outside and movable from a medium receiving position to a medium ejecting position and reversible transfer means for permitting the traveling bucket to travel while oriented in one traveling direction or in the reverse traveling direction.

Abstract: A manual IC card reader has a recess at a frame constructing a card insertion slot in the card insertion direction for inserting and removing a card. The card insertion slot is configured to project an IC contact block toward a card pathway as the IC contact block comes in and then let the card be removed after data communication rolling elements in a free rotational condition provided in a front vicinity of a card stop position in the card direction to reduce an insertion load on the IC card when the IC card projects the IC contacts block toward the card pathway.

Abstract: A card package production system (100) with a printer module (102) that prints and provides carriers (113) to an attachment module (104) for attaching cards (130) to matching carriers has a carrier transport mechanism (FIGS. 11-14 and 48) with carrier support members (224 and 226) with upstream ends that are elevated relative to the downstream ends of downstream carrier support members (226 and 228), respectively, to enable an upstream carrier to pass over the top of a downstream carrier to prevent the upstream carrier from jamming into the downstream carrier during a temporary halt in operation.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus utilizing gravity acceleration for scanning is provided. The scanning apparatus comprises a U-shaped housing, a shaft bearing, a housing and a scanning head. The shaft bearing passes through the housing with two ends thereof respectively and rotationally fastened on two sidewalls of the U-shaped housing, thereby the housing is vertically and rotationally fastened in the U-shaped housing. The scanning head is disposed in the housing with an engageable piece engaged with a hook-shaped element of the housing so as to fasten the scanning head at a predetermined position close to the top end of the housing. When the scanning head is going to scan, the engagement between the engageable piece and the hook-shaped element is released and a starting power is applied to the scanning head by gravity acceleration. Thereby the scanning head is guided to move downward to scan via cooperation between a guiding piece and a guiding rail.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authenticate by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on a knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for printing and validating a document, such as a ticket or voucher printed on a substrate such as paper. After the document is printed, at least a portion thereof is read to test a validity criteria. The document is dispensed to a recipient if the validity criteria is met. If the validity criteria is not met after the first read, the document can optionally be re-read. If the validity criteria is never met, the document is voided. The voided document can be held or dispensed to the recipient and a replacement document can be printed, read for validation purposes and dispensed. If the replacement document is not valid, it is voided. A voided replacement document can be either held or dispensed. Assistance from a machine attendant is required only in the event that a predetermined number of invalid print/read/validate cycles occur.

Abstract: A bank-note processing device (51), which prevents bank-notes received in a stacker from projecting into a bank-note transfer passage interfering with the next processing and which has a bank-note reverse-flowing preventive lever (80) that includes, at least, a first lever (25) turnably supported through a first shaft (26) and having a length smaller than the outer diameter (21a) of a bank-note guide drum (21), a first urging device (28) for constantly urging the first lever (25) toward a bank-note transfer passage (4), a first stop (32) for preventing the first lever (25) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than at a predetermined angel of rotation, a second lever (79) turnably supported on the front end (25c) of the first lever (25) through a second shaft (74), a second stop (76) for preventing the second lever (79) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than a predetermined angle of rotation, and a second urging device (77) for constantly urgin

Abstract: A manual IC card reader has a recess at a frame constructing a card insertion slot in the card insertion direction for inserting and removing a card. The card insertion slot is configured to project an IC contact block toward a card pathway as the IC contact block comes in and then let the card be removed after data communication rolling elements in a free rotational condition provided in a front vicinity of a card stop position in the card direction to reduce an insertion load on the IC card when the IC card projects the IC contacts block toward the card pathway.

Abstract: A card with a magnetic stripe when fed into a card reader can be illegally read by a read head unobtrusively attached to the outside of the card reader adjacent to the slot into which the card is fed. To defeat this illegal reading, movement of a card through the read head is interrupted thereby making it difficult for the illegal read head to read the stripe. This interruption occurs at the point where the proper read head inside the card reader is not reading the magnetic stripe. The interruption can be a brief stop or a brief reversal in direction. The interruption occurs once while the card is being fed into the card reader and once when the card is being fed out of the card reader.

Abstract: A card handling and recycling device, including a card receiving unit which can accept a card inserted into the device and optionally withdraw the card out of the device, a magnetic card reading and writing unit, a movable integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, and a card transporting unit for selectively moving the card within the card handling device along a card transporting passageway. The card receiving unit, magnetic card reading and writing unit, integrated circuit card reading and writing unit, and card transporting unit are aligned along the card transporting passageway. Recycling of cards is accomplished by pivoting the integrated circuit card handling unit so that a transported card will be deflected by a guide plate into a recycling storage area.

Abstract: An IC card reader comprising an contact and a rotating member. The contact is for coming into contact with an IC contact terminal of a card. The rotating member is rotated by the insertion of the card. The rotating member starts to rotate as the card presses a portion of the rotating member, and the portion of the rotating member presses the card on a rear surface thereof when the rotating member rotates.

Abstract: A bank-note processing device (51), which prevents bank-notes received in a stacker from projecting into a bank-note transfer passage interfering with the next processing and which has a bank-note reverse-flowing preventive lever (80) that comprises, at least, a first lever (25) turnably supported through a first shaft (26) and having a length smaller than the outer diameter (21a) of a bank-note guide drum (21), a first urging means (28) for constantly urging the first lever (25) toward a bank-note transfer passage (4), a first stop (32) for preventing the first lever (25) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than at a predetermined angel of rotation, a second lever (79) turnably supported on the front end (25c) of the first lever (25) through a second shaft (74), a second stop (76) for preventing the second lever (79) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than a predetermined angle of rotation, and a second urging means (77) for constantly urging

Abstract: A bank-note processing device (51), which prevents bank-notes received in a stacker from projecting into a bank-note transfer passage interfering with the next processing and which has a bank-note reverse-flowing preventive lever (80) that comprises, at least, a first lever (25) turnably supported through a first shaft (26) and having a length smaller than the outer diameter (21a) of a bank-note guide drum (21), a first urging means (28) for constantly urging the first lever (25) toward a bank-note transfer passage (4), a first stop (32) for preventing the first lever (25) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than at a predetermined angel of rotation, a second lever (79) turnably supported on the front end (25c) of the first lever (25) through a second shaft (74), a second stop (76) for preventing the second lever (79) from rotating toward the bank-note transfer passage (4) through more than a predetermined angle of rotation, and a second urging means (77) for constantly urging

Abstract: This invention is a data storage system for accessing data stored in a data storage medium. The data storage system includes a motor-head assembly controlled to activate a vertical movement for loading and unloading at least a pickup head supported thereon to access the data medium in the data storage medium. For a specific data-storage system configuration, the motor-head assembly further includes a rotating motor for rotating the pickup head when the pickup head is loaded onto the data storage medium. In another system configuration, the data storage system implemented with a motor to move the data storage medium in at least one linear direction or for rotating the data storage medium. The motor-head assembly further includes a vertical-position locking hook for automatically pulling away the pickup head from the data storage media when the motor-head assembly is unloaded from the data storage medium.

Abstract: A card reader module (10) is described. The module (10) includes a trap mechanism (20) operable to trap a card (60) within the module (10) in response to the module (10) detecting a card (60) therein that cannot be transported. The trap mechanism (20) may be implemented by a width switch (22) and associated interlock (24), where the width switch (22) is located within a throat portion (14) of the card reader module (10). On detecting a jammed card, the width switch (22) is locked to prevent removal of the card. The module (10) may also include a magnetic head (28) operable to erase data stored on a magnetic stripe (62) on a card (60) if the trap mechanism (20) is not able to prevent removal of the card (60). A self-service terminal (70) for preventing fraud and a method of preventing fraud using the module (10) are also described.

Abstract: A bill deposit/withdrawal machine for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills according to a transaction, having a deposit/withdrawal port disposed in an upper part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine, for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills, a bill discriminating unit for discriminating bills, a solid bill box casing is disposed in a lower part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine. At least one bill accepting box is disposed in the bill box casing, for accepting bills transported from the deposit/withdrawal port and/or accepting bills to be transported to the deposit/withdrawal port. A bill transport path is provided for connecting the deposit/withdrawal port to the bill accepting box through the bill discriminating unit and for transporting bills. The bill transport path includes an upper bill transport path and a lower bill transport path.

Abstract: In a card reader (40) with at least two transport rollers (23, 24, 25) for the card (3) arranged one after the other in the card infeed direction, the transport rollers (23, 24, 25) are provided on a pivot arm (21, 22), which can be pivoted against the action of a restoring force in a plane at right angles to the card path, at a distance from the pivot axis (26, 27) of the pivot arm (21, 22). When a transport roller on the pivot arm is deflected by the card thickness of a card that has been fed in, all transport rollers lying further from the pivot axis are also deflected, i.e. pivoted out of the card path, by more than the card thickness.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring data between a read/write apparatus having a shuttle powered by a single motor supporting a hybrid data storage card and having optical and electrical data heads. The hybrid data storage card has an integrated circuit module and an optical memory unit both on a single side of the hybrid card. Electrical signal communication occurs when a gap between the shuttle and a support connected to the electrical head is closed such that the electrical head is able to align with the integrated circuit module. Optical signal communication occurs between the optical data head and optical memory unit when the gap is formed and maintained between the shuttle and the support connected to the electrical head such that the shuttle is able to move linearly without interference from the support.

Abstract: An automatic transaction apparatus, having a processing part handles transaction information and transaction medium, a conveyer part which conveys the transaction medium corresponding to the transaction information, a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the conveyer part and a controller connected with the temperature sensor, the controller controlling a conveyed speed of the transaction medium and an interval to dispense the transaction medium by the conveyer part in accordance with a temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A card reader has an opening at the base thereof in communication with the card insertion slot and forward of the IC contacts of the contacts carriage. When foreign materials such as coins are inserted into the card passageway, they are discharged through this bottom opening without contacting or causing damage to electronic contacts and without building up in the reader. Further, a blocking mechanism for the card passageway prevents foreign material such as coins from being inserted. When a read head senses the magnetic swipe of a card as the card is initially inserted, the blocking member is pivoted out of the way.

Abstract: A protection mechanism for use with an IC card read/write apparatus comprises a housing that defines a slot having an inlet and an outlet. The housing is constructed and arranged to allow passage of an IC card through the slot from the inlet to the outlet and into an IC card read/write apparatus. A first arm is movable between a first position at which the first arm is positioned in the slot and a second position at which the first arm is positioned out of the slot. The first arm is constructed and arranged to move from the first position to the second position in response to being contacted by the IC card as the IC card passes through the slot from the inlet to the outlet. A shutter is movable between a third position at which the shutter blocks the outlet and a fourth position at which the shutter does not block the outlet.

Abstract: A card reader (1) with three rollers (4, 5, 6) mounted on pivot arms (10, 11, 12, 13) and which are disposed serially in the direction (2) of card insertion, the pivot arms (10, 11, 12, 13) being pivotable in a plane at right-angles to the card path against the action of a restoring force and being coupled to one another for movement, the roller (4) which is at the rear in the direction (2) of insertion being disposed on a rear pivot arm (10) behind its pivot axis (15) while the roller (6) which is at the front in the direction (2) of insertion is disposed on a front pivot arm (13) in front of its pivot axis (16), comprises two middle pivot arms (11, 12) which are articulatingly connected to each other, one middle pivot arm (11) being disposed at a distance from its pivot axis (17) with the rear pivot arm (10) while the other middle pivot arm (12) is articulatingly connected to the front pivot arm (13) at a distance from its pivot axis (19).

Abstract: An IC card mechanism includes an IC card for insertion into a receiving space of an electronic device; a contact which is brought into contact with an external contact of the card when the card is inserted; a card pusher which is advanced, when the card is inserted, in an insertion direction of the card by being pushed by a front end face of the card, thereby accumulating resilient ejecting force; and a lock for locking, when the card is inserted, the card pusher in an advanced position and unlocking, when the card is pushed again in the direction of insertion of the card, the card pusher so that the card pusher is retracted by the resilient force and such that the card pusher, when retracting, pushes the front face of the card in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the card, thereby allowing ejection of the card.

Abstract: A ticket transport machine accepts fare media cards of various types and dimensions through an input bezel. The card is then fed through entry rollers where it is transported onto a rotating transport carrier and passed under a reader/writer antenna. The reader/writer antenna reads information encoded onto the card and based upon this information, the machine determines if the card can be re-circulated for later use. The card is then deposited into a storage stacker magazine where it can be retrieved at a later date for reissue to another user.

Abstract: A multipurpose board has a frame circumferentially supporting at least three transparent plates with segregating clearances between the transparent plates. Particles only partially fill each segregating clearance, the particles in the respective segregating clearances having different physical properties. When the board is moved, particle flow in each segregating clearance permitted by the only partial filling thereof forms varieties of wave-like combinations when movement is stopped, which are visible three dimentionally through the transparent plates.