Abstract: The invention relates to a device for biometric identification with the aid of fingerprints and/or hand characteristics, the device comprising a sensor unit (1) directed at the region of an optical gate (2) in a scanning direction (S), wherein the optical gate (2) is adapted to initialize the sensor unit (1) for scanning an in-focus scan image or scan images of the fingers and/or hand of a person, wherein the device further comprises at least one light source (5), which is likewise directed at the region of the optical gate (2), wherein the sensor unit (1), the optical gate (2) and optionally also the light source (5) are coupled to a control and computing module (6) with software for controlling the device and its parts and for scanning a scan image or the scan images of fingers and/or a hand, and for evaluating the fingerprints and/or hand characteristics, wherein the sensor unit (1) is fixedly set to focus into a focal volume (3) which is assigned to the optical gate (2), and the sensor unit (1), the optic

Abstract: A card reader use in a higher-level device may include a card transfer path; a card insertion detecting mechanism; a transfer roller; a turn detecting mechanism structured to detect a turn of the transfer roller; a card detecting mechanism; and a control unit. The control unit structured such that, if the card detecting mechanism switches from the OFF situation to the ON situation after the card insertion detecting mechanism switches from the OFF situation to the ON situation, even though no turn of the transfer roller is detected by the turn detecting mechanism, the control unit of the card reader sends a control unit of the higher-level device an alarm signal for notifying that a skimming device has been inserted through the insertion slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a teller cash recycler. The teller cash recycler includes a vault unit configured to store bills; a handling unit, provided at an upper portion of the vault unit, movable to a front side and a rear side of the vault unit, through which bills are deposited and withdrawn; a driving gear unit, provided at a lower portion of the handling unit, including a plurality of driving gears; a driven gear unit, provided at the upper portion of the vault unit, including a plurality of driven gears to which a driving force from the driving gears is transmitted; one or more swing arms, at which at least one of the driven gears is installed, configured to rotate by movement of the handling unit; and an interference unit, provided at the swing arm, configured to apply a rotational moment to the swing arm while being pushed by a handling unit.

Abstract: A device (10) for reading a magnetic stripe card and/or smart card (22) comprising a slot (12) for feeding the magnetic stripe card and/or smart card (22). A rotary unit (18) for rotating a fed magnetic stripe card and/or smart card (22) from the feeding plane (24) into a reading plane (32) extending at a predetermined angle (W1) relative to the feeding plane (24) is arranged behind the slot (12) as viewed in feed direction (P1). Further, the invention relates to a method for preventing skimming attacks.

Abstract: A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a document track, a processing device, and a selector gate after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the selector gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the selector gate in the forward direction. A gate actuator selectively moves the selector gate. Upon the bi-directional drive mechanism reversing direction after receiving the document to drive the document in the reverse direction, when the selector gate is in the first position, the selector gate diverts the document into the return path and re-introduces the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation. When the selector gate is in the second position, the selector gate allows the document traveling in the reverse direction to be re-introduced, in reverse, to the processing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed. A transport stage located within the base unit receives the document from the input slot. The transport stage includes a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a one-way gate located along the document track after the processing device. The document track includes a second, return path extending from a location at the one-way gate to a location before the processing device. A bi-directional drive mechanism receives the document as the document passes through the one-way gate in the forward direction. The bi-directional drive mechanism then reverses direction to drive the document in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a chip card, a controlling unit, a transport mechanism, and a positioning module. The transport mechanism is electrically connected to the controlling unit and transports the chip card under the control of the controlling unit. The positioning module is electrically connected to the controlling unit and is for pushing the chip card to remove the chip card.

Abstract: A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving a card with a housing. Said housing has a horizontal, slot-shaped receiving opening for introducing a card into a receiving slot in the interior of the card receiving device. Additionally, a closure is provided for closing the receiving opening, the closure having a closure element with a seal, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening and which is movable against an elastic force, at right angles to the plane of the receiving slot, from a closed position blocking off the receiving opening into a release position releasing the receiving opening. The closure element can be lifted in a guide of the housing at right angles to the plane of the receiving slot from the closed position into the release position, and is fitted with a sealing lip, extending over the length of the receiving opening, made from an elastic plastic, which in the closed position is in contact with the lower slot wall of the receiving slot.

Abstract: There is provided a paper currency handling apparatus persistent to the demand for reduction in size and increase in capacity to improve the satisfaction level of users. In a paper currency handling apparatus, a temporary housing is arranged behind a paper currency deposit and withdrawal port; a paper currency discrimination part is arranged behind the temporary housing; conveyance paths conveying a paper currency from below the paper currency let-out part to ahead of the paper currency discrimination part, conveyance paths conveying a paper currency from behind the paper currency discrimination part to the temporary housing once ascending upward, and a paper currency sorting gate going from behind the paper currency discrimination part to the conveyance path to implement sorting to conveying destinations for a first time are included, wherein the paper currency sorting gate is arranged in an upper part behind the temporary housing.

Abstract: To reliably process a card such as a credit card to acquire accurate card information in accordance with the present invention without lowering job productivity, magnetic data is read from the card and in the same operation the front of the card is scanned to secure an image of data information such as the card number. The resulting image data is stored in memory. A control unit in conjunction with a reading evaluator such as a computer determines if the magnetic data has been successfully read or not. If reading the magnetic data is not successful, an OCR unit extracts the card number from the card by OCR processing of the scanned image data. The card number extracted by the OCR unit is then used for a card C authorization check.

Abstract: A system for managing digital rights of digital content over a network. A data card contains user information including digital rights information specific to a user, the data card having a memory component for enabling information to be stored within the data card. A data card reader is adapted to access the user information contained on the data card when the data card is in communication therewith. A data processor in communication with the data card reader is adapted to be connected to the network. An application program resides on the memory component of the data card, the application program being configured to operate in conjunction with a universal language for creating and controlling digital rights, to manage user rights of the digital content available on the network based on the digital rights information specific to the user which is contained on the data card.

Abstract: The present invention provides a card recording apparatus capable of printing in high speed as well as reducing overall dimensions of the apparatus. After a card is transported to an information recording section 200 in a lateral (short length) direction of the card, an information signal is recorded on the card thereby. Then, the card is transported to a second heating section 300. An ink image formed on an intermediate recording medium 7 by a first heating section 500 is re-transferred to the card by the second heating section 300. A warp developed on the card by the second heating section 300 is corrected by a card warp correcting section 400.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact drive system serving to deflect a push force to move a carriage assigned to the chip card and mounted in a chip card receiving unit. A flexible, pressure-transmitting force conductor is provided in the form of individual spheres, the force conductor being assigned a direction-deflecting guide and a push rod provided with an actuating member. The force conductor is driven by a control slide engaging in the duct, the control slide being connected by a gear to a positioning motor.

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 card reader is provided with a card transporting mechanism wherein the trailing end of a card as viewed in a card transporting direction is brought into contact with a first card engaging/holding member moving in a card transporting direction, and the card is transported by the first card engaging/holding member. The card transporting mechanism includes a carriage movable in the card transporting direction, and the first card engaging/holding member is mounted so that the first card engaging/holding member is movable between a first position where the first card engaging/holding member comes in contact with the trailing end of the card and a second position where the first card engaging/holding member does not come in contact with the card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact drive system serving to deflect a push force to move a carriage assigned to the chip card and mounted in a chip card receiving unit. A flexible, pressure-transmitting force conductor is provided in the form of individual spheres, the force conductor being assigned a direction-deflecting guide and a push rod provided with an actuating member. The force conductor is driven by a control spool engaging in the duct, the control spook being connected by a gear to a positioning motor.

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: A system and method for automating the initiation of a telecommunications session and a calling card to use with the system or the method. In one embodiment, an automated telephony interface system includes a scanner and a session initiator which is coupled to the scanner. The initiator extracts a telephone number from information read by the scanner and transmits a signal containing the telephone number to a telecommunications device in order to initiate a telecommunications session.

Abstract: A manual magnetic card reader allows a card with a magnetic strip to be inserted in a card insert slot to a card stop position and then allows the card to be removed. The reader comprises a magnetic head for reading magnetic data recorded in the magnetic strip, a data editing portion for editing the magnetic data and a saving buffer for saving the magnetic data of the card that is read during card insertion. The magnetic data is read and saved in the saving buffer during the card insertion and the magnetic data is also read during card removal.

Abstract: Openings (OPa, OPb) corresponding to respective card slots (18a, 18b) are formed in a side face of a digital camera, and a slot cover (121) having a size covering both of the openings (OPa, OPb) is placed in a manner so as to shift thereon, thereby allowing either of the openings of the card slots to be selectively exposed. A CPU, installed therein, is allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is not exposed, and is not allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is exposed. A card-type medium can be detachably attached to the card slot that is exposed, and with respect to the card slot that is not exposed, the attaching and removing operations of a card-type medium are restricted.

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 bill deposit/withdrawal machine for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills according to a transaction includes a deposit/withdrawal port for performing deposit or withdrawal of bills; a bill discriminating unit for discriminating bills, bill accepting boxes for accepting bills transported from the deposit/withdrawal port or accepting bills to be transported to the deposit/withdrawal port and a bill transport path for connecting the deposit/withdrawal port to the bill accepting boxes through the bill discriminating unit and transporting bills. The deposit/withdrawal port and the bill discriminating unit are disposed in an upper part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine, and the bill accepting boxes are disposed in a lower part of the bill deposit/withdrawal machine.

Abstract: When, in the case where card take-in means 3 takes in a magnetic card 10, a magnetic head 4 outputs a predetermined reproducing signal, the magnetic card is taken in; and when the predetermined reproducing signal is not outputted by the magnetic head, the magnetic card take-in operation is stopped. The magnetic head 4 is provided near a card inserting inlet 2, so that, when the card take-in operation is stopped, the rear end 10a of the card 10 is protruded from the card inserting inlet 2.

Abstract: A unit for processing chip and/or magnetic stripe cards. The unit comprises a minimum of one card storage magazine to store cards to be processed, a minimum of one chip and/or magnetic stripe processing station to record data on the chip (semiconductor element) and/or the magnetic stripe of the card, and a minimum of one card body processing station to record visible, unmodifiable data on the card body. The unit further includes an optical identification station with an evaluation unit to verify accuracy and/or quality of the data recorded on the card body, with cards exhibiting incorrectly or defectively applied visible data being rejected as defective.

Abstract: A method for using a POS printer that includes means for magnetizing and reading the ON-US and ROUTING information from preprinted magnetic characters on a check. The characters are printed with an ink having magnetizable particles embedded therein. First, the ROUTING and ON-US fields of the check are magnetized, either by a fixed magnet, or within the read head itself. Next, the characters within the ROUTING and ON-US fields are read by the read head, and the signals analyzed by the electronics of the POS printer. This is followed by a verification, in which the printer electronically verifies that the account is not a "bad" account. If the account is good, the printer continues to endorse the check on its back and/or encode the check by printing MICR characters in the AMOUNT field on the face of the check. The POS printer may magnetize and read these characters after they are printed, in order to verify that the correct amount has been encoded onto the check.

Abstract: A unit for processing chip and/or magnetic stripe cards. The unit comprises a minimum of one card storage magazine to store cards to be processed, a minimum of one chip and/or magnetic stripe processing station to record data on the chip (semiconductor element) and/or the magnetic stripe of the card, and a minimum of one card body processing station to record visible, unmodifiable data on the card body. The unit further includes an optical identification station with an evaluation unit to verify accuracy and/or quality of the data recorded on the card body, with cards exhibiting incorrectly or defectively applied visible data being rejected as defective.

Abstract: An apparatus for personalizing identification cards with integrated circuits includes at least one printing unit and a reversing unit for reversing and transporting the printed identification card. The reversing unit has a rotor, at least one card transport device fastened thereto and a contacting device for loading the integrated circuits onto the cards.

Abstract: A thickness filter device is for use in an insertion chute of a reader for tickets, cards or the like. The device includes a mobile assembly comprising a stirrup member in the form of a yoke pivoting about a fixed axis parallel to a flat support along which the ticket, card or the like passes and perpendicular to a direction of displacement of said ticket, card or the like along this plane and a roller mounted in the stirrup member. The roller has a support shaft parallel to the fixed shaft and mounted in the stirrup member with play so that, in the absence of any ticket, card or the like between the roller and the support plane, it allows the roller to be pressed onto this plane with a pressure calibrated by traction spring means. This play also allows the roller, under the effect of a force opposing the action of the spring means, to bear against a wall of the stirrup member linking two parallel flanges of said stirrup member forming a yoke.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus for a card medium having an optical signal in bar code form written thereon. The optical reading apparatus includes a receiving section for receiving cassette holding the card medium, and a light source for projecting a light beam spot on the optical signal written on the card medium. A reader reads the optical signal by moving the light beam spot in a scanning direction along the optical signal to scan the optical signal, and a guiding device moves the cassette in a direction substantially normal to the scanning direction, as the card medium held in the cassette is inserted into the receiving section. The optical signal written on the card medium is optically read while the cassette is being moved by the guiding device.

Abstract: An information storage and retrieval device comprising a card conveyor mount for supporting and conveying a card-type information storage medium; a drive means having a linear motor, for reciprocatingly driving the card conveyor mount; an electrical power control circuit having switching elements, for providing power to the linear motor; speed detection means and for detecting the speed at which the card conveyor mount is moving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically printing, reading and otherwise treating an information-carrying document, particularly apparatus having a mechanically dividable circular pathway for reading and otherwise processing ATB-ticket (Automated Ticket/Boarding document) at airport passenger gates, so-called gate readers (8), and a method in which such apparatus is used. The gate reader (8) includes a simple, dividable ticket cylinder (16) which lacks a casing and which includes a drive motor (9A), drive belts (9B, 9C), a first cog wheel (9D) which is firmly mounted on the body of the gate reader (8) and which functions to drive a second cog wheel (9E) mounted on one side of the drive wheel (22) and concentrical with the drive shaft (21).

Abstract: A reversing board 14 with a magnetic head 16 mounted thereon is provided at its central portion with card guides 14b1, 14b2 , the inlet ports of the card guides 14b1, 14b2 being disposed proximate to the front end openings of front and rear card guides 2A, 2B, the magnetic head 16 being biased by a compression spring 17S so that the head can be acted upwardly and downwardly, a positioning stopper 15 being engaged in a positioning groove 14a of the reversing board 14, a rotational tension force being exerted to a head reversing gear 12 by a tension spring 13S.

Abstract: A magnetic card writing circuit is disclosed which enables the recording density of a recorded card to be selected, as desired, independently of the speed of a card conveying motor.

Abstract: Optical card reader systems are known in which an optically encoded card is read to provide an output signal. However, in known systems, the card has to be presented in a particular orientation. Described herein is a card (80) which has three code zones (85, 86, 87), the upper zone (85) carries a code in one of its data streams from which a series of clock pulses is derived to assist in the processing of the data in the streams of the zones (85, 87) or (86, 87). Zones (85, 87) carry identical data presented in identical fashion. In order to determine the presentation of the card, start words (83, 84) can be utilised to indicate to the reader which way up and which way round the card is presented.

Abstract: A cards processor (100) including a gateway (101) for the insertion and discharging of cards (104) on one end side of a cabinet (2), a transport line disposed in the cabinet (2) in almost a straight line from the gateway (101) for transporting the cards in a reciprocating manner in a transport direction, read/write devices (115, 116) for reading and writing information on the cards during transporting, and a standby portion (117) where the card transporting direction is reversed and for holding the cards in standby temporarily between operations.

Abstract: A table top image based document processing machine and methods of using it. The machine is used in conjunction with a host computer like a PC. The machine includes a document track, a programmable transport mechanism for moving the document bi-directionally within the track, front and back imagers for imaging the front and rear of the document, front and back printers for endorsing data on the front and the back of the document, a magnetic card reader module, an encryption module and a MICR printer for encoding MICR data on the front of the document, for example. The machine in conjunction with the PC can be used for generating Logos, creating checks, performing remittance processing, imaging and reading checks, truncation processing, lockbox operations, and the usual bank teller operations.

Abstract: A card conveyance mechanism used in a card reader so as to convey a card in a card travel path. The mechanism includes an abnormal card travel detecting device for detecting whether the card has jammed, and a card discharge device for discharging the card from the travel path in response to an output from the abnormal card travel detecting device. The discharge device includes an endless belt or chain (7) having a projecting pawl (8) which may normally be kept outside the card travel path by position detection sensor (9). The card may be discharged either to the card insertion port (4) or to a recovering box (5).

Abstract: The information recording method of the present invention comprises steps of recording information on a recording medium by a recording head during forward movement, reading the information recorded during the forward movement in the opposite sequence to the recording sequence during backward movement, and checking if the information has been correctly written or not based on the information read during the backward movement.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus is directed to a modulating/recording system for modulating data divided into a plurality of blocks and recording the modulated data on a recording medium. A byte sync signal output section outputs byte sync signals to be inserted between the plurality of blocks. A modulating section modulates data of one block while the byte sync signal output section outputs the byte sync signal. A modulated data storage section temporarily stores the data modulated by the modulating section. A modulated data read section reads out modulated data to be recorded from the modulated data storage section after the byte sync signal output section outputs the byte sync signal. The data to be recorded represents a predetermined arrangement regardless of recording directions.

Abstract: A document reader for reading manually fed edge coded documents, comprising a first component including a side wall, a second component orthogonally positioned with respect to the first component and having a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls positioned adjacent one another so as to form a document receiving slot therebetween, the first sidewall containing an opening, a drive means, the drive means positioned within the first component and adapted to project through the first sidewall opening and substantially across the slot, the second sidewall including an opening, reading means contained within the second component, the reading means including a light source, means for directing light from the source through the second wall opening to the document, means responsive to light reflected from the document for converting the reflected light to digital data, control means coupled to the drive means, sensing means positioned proximate to the slot for sensing the precise location of the document, th

Abstract: A card carrier including pairs of rollers disposed at predetermined spacings along a card conveyer passageway such that the respective pairs of rollers hold both sides of a card therebetween. A driver including a single motor, a power transmission including a plurality of timing pulleys and a plurality of timing belts for transmitting the drive force of the motor to all the rollers, and power interrupting means including a clutch mechanism disposed between the power transmission and the motor for transmitting the drive force of the motor to the power transmission when the motor arrives at a predetermined rated rotational speed and a brake mechanism for stopping the operation of the power transmission instantaneously. When the motor arrives at the rated rotational speed, the clutch mechanism is actuated to drive all the rollers. When the card is to be stopped at a predetermined position, the drive force of all the rollers is stopped instantaneously by the clutch mechanism and the brake mechanism.

Abstract: A reading device includes an inlet port for a boarding pass, a reading section for reading data recorded on part of the boarding pass, and a feeding section for transporting a boarding pass from the inlet port to the reading section. The reading device further includes a rotating section for holding a boarding pass fed thereto and rotating together with the boarding pass, and a control circuit for checking the orientation of the boarding pass inserted into the inlet port, and instructing the feeding section to temporarily feed the boarding pass to the rotating section and instructing said rotating section to turn over the boarding pass when it is detected that the boarding pass has been inserted in a particular incorrect orientation.

Abstract: A card reader and validator for use in wagering terminals includes a housing with a paper path. A paper drive surface of a drive wheel projects into the paper path. A platen assembly includes a pressure roller for pressing paper against the paper drive surface of the drive wheel and a platen surface for pressing paper agianst the paper path at a processing zone. The platen assembly is pivotally mounted to the housing in a manner such that it is biased toward the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in one direction and is lifted away from the paper path when the drive wheel rotates in the opposite direction. Corresponding ribs in the platen surface and paper path flatten the paper in the processing zone to facilitate the reading of optical marks on the paper by optical sensors. An ink jet printhead is provided for printing indicia on a portion of paper traveling through the paper path. A wick mounted to the platen assembly absorbs ink from the ink jet printhead during a purge cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ticket includes a circular ticket guide having a drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the circular ticket guide, an arcuate ticket guide having a ticket drive apparatus for driving a ticket in the arcuate ticket guide, a ticket transfer guide extending tangentially between the circular and arcuate ticket guides for transferring a ticket between the circular and arcuate ticket guides, at least one ticket input guide extending tangentially into the circular ticket guide for inputting a ticket into the circular ticket guide from an associated ticket input area, a ticket output guide for outputting a ticket from the arcuate ticket guide to an associated ticket output area, ticket writing and reading mechanisms for writing and reading information on a ticket and a ticket printer for printing information on a ticket.

Abstract: In an electronic imaging system in which a document is electronically imaged on a platen by a scanning electronic imager, a document for which manual handling is desired is manually positioned in a special manual registration position on the platen in which one corner of the document underlies a unique signal generating optical indicia positioned over that corner of the platen. Preferably, this optical indicia is a uniquely numbered bar code pattern on a stationary baffle, or other overlying surface, upstream of the document feeder platen transport, and preferably located in a start of scan area. The electronic imager is at least partially optically occluded from reading that unique bar code pattern by a document present in that manual registration position. (A document for which automatic feeding is desired may be placed in a document feeder and fed thereby onto the platen into a different registration position in which no portion of that document is interposed between that bar code and the imager.

Abstract: Reader apparatus for chip cards. The reader apparatus has a reader station with at least one insertion opening for a chip card and is also equipped with a bidirectional drive and a contact device for reading the chip card. Respective inward transfer and/or outward transfer conveying channels are provided adjacent the insertion opening and adjacent a further opening of the reader station lying opposite the insertion opening. Each of the conveying channels has an outer opening, and a respective, bidirectional drive that is independent of the drive of the reader station, each of the drives having conveyor belts arranged in pairs. Controllable locks are also provided inside the reader station in the region of the two openings, these locks stopping the chip card in a read/write position, the chip card being supplied from the opening lying opposite the lock stopping the card.

Abstract: A linear oscillatory motion device capable of producing a linear oscillatory motion from a continuous rotation of a motor in one direction with a desired speed variation, with smooth and stable motion without an abrupt change in acceleration. The device includes a crank mechanism with variable stroke which converts the rotations of the motor into oscillatory motion; and guiding cam which controls the stroke of the crank mechanism according to a shape of said guiding cam means defined such that in at least one part of the linear oscillatory motion an acceleration of the object changes continuously resulting in linear oscillatory motion of the object. The optical card read/write apparatus featuring such a linear oscillatory motion device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A first sensor is arranged at a predetermined position on a conveying path of an IC card. When the IC card is detected by the first sensor, the conveyance of the IC card is stopped. A connector supported to a supporting member provided at a predetermined position approaches the contacts of the IC card and comes into contact therewith. There is also provided a second sensor to detect that the connector is located at a position adapted to come into contact with the contacts of the IC card on the basis of the motion of the supporting member. The supporting member has a projecting portion adapted to about on an IC card which has overrun from the predetermined position. When the projecting portion abuts on the IC card, no detection signal is output from the second sensor.