Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) incorporating an anti-fraud device is described. The anti-fraud device has a search coil (20) for detecting metal, where the search coil (20) is located in the vicinity of a user interface element (36). The search coil (20) may be located in the throat (22) of the card reader module (14d) so that the search coil (20) is in the vicinity of an area liable to placement of a fraudulent third party device. A method of preventing fraud at an SST, and an anti-fraud device for use with an SST are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for adapting terminals for chip cards to enable them to present and execute operations for which they were not signed, which consists in equipping the chip cards with a link memory associated with a reading and translating program and in presenting data read in said memory to the terminal in a form which can be used by an interface program. Thus, by modifying the card link memory, applications executable by the terminal can be added ore removed.

Abstract: An IC card connector comprising a housing having plural connector terminals, guide frames disposed opposedly to each other at both side portions of the housing and having guide grooves in which an IC card to be connected to the connector terminals is inserted and held, an insertion port defined by the guide frames for insertion therein of the IC card, and shutter members for opening and closing the insertion port, wherein a thin-walled cutout recess is formed on the surface side of each of the shutter members for preventing abutment of the shutter member against an expanded portion formed on the surface or the back of the IC card when inserted into the insertion port.

Abstract: An electronic memory card reader (10) for reading a card comprising a card body (11) and electrical contact areas (12). The reader includes a read head (100) having connection elements (112) designed to cooperate with the contact areas (12), an insertion slot (200), an abutment (300) for the card body, defining a processing position in which the areas (12) are in contact with the connection elements (112), and a moving part (400) that is rotatable, and that is capable, firstly, in a closed position, of establishing electrical contact between the elements (112) and the areas (12) in the processing position and, secondly, of moving away from the closed position under the action of a force developed by the card (10) moving in translation. The part (400) is returned to the closed position by resilient return means (600).

Abstract: A card processing method for a card reader into and from which a magnetic/IC card is manually inserted and pulled through a card insertion slit, and which includes a magnetic head and an IC contact block for reading and storing data from and into the card for data processing, including the steps of: inserting the card into the card reader and pulling out the card from the card reader; selecting a process for magnetic data by the magnetic head or a process for IC data by the IC contact block; and discharging the card from the card reader immediately after the card is inserted into the card reader irrespective of the kind of data process.

Abstract: A terminal unit has a mechanism processing an information recording card and a slit into which the card is inserted. The slit is provided on a side surface of said terminal unit. A slit upper portion in an upside of the slit overhangs outward with respect to a slit lower portion at a underside of the slit.

Abstract: A card transmission device includes a motor and a shaft connector, a worm shaft with worms on both ends thereof, two transmission shafts with one end engaging with the worm and another end having a transmission pulley, and a driven pulley arranged below the transmission pulley, whereby the motor rotates the transmission shaft to enable the transmission pulley and the driven pulley to clamp and move the card. By the inventive device, the advantages of compact size, broad applicability and fewer accessories can be achieved.

Abstract: A credit or smart card reader for processing bent, bowed, extremely warped, or cut credit, or smart cards. A standard reader has an insertion deck for inserting a card to be read and processed. The card to be read is inserted into a slot provided in the insertion deck. The card will travel along a processing path contacting an extended supporting card ramp. The bent, bowed, extremely warped, or cut credit or smart card will contact the extended supporting card ramp, allowing for its processing.

Abstract: Apparatus of simple construction that can pass the front portion of a smart card to a card reader, while safeguarding the card reader from vandalism. A gate device (32) whose front end (52) can be pivoted up by the leading edge of the card, is initially prevented from pivoting up by a pair of release members (34, 36) lying within laterally opposite sides of the card path (24). The opposite corners (J, K) of the card leading edge push the release members laterally (L) out of the card path and causes the release members to release the card gate to pivot up.

Abstract: A contact carriage 2 is movably provided in an opening 12 formed in a frame 11 having a card path 8 into which an IC card 9 is inserted, and of the opposed side faces defining the opening 12, the side face 13b which confronts a carriage movement reference surface 17 used when the contact carriage 2 moves in the opening 12 includes a flat portion 14a and a arcuately protruded portion 15a.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an optical mark sensing device known as a mark read scanner for reading marks on a form. This scanner is a stand-alone device that has an internal micro-controller with the controlling software therein. An external personal computer is not required to operate the scanner in its intended manner. "Graphic switches" are printed on the form to define the characteristics of a form to be scanned. The expense of 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 specifications of the scanner is eliminated.

Abstract: A card receptor for use in an internet set-top box is provided with a pivotable door, a card carrier with card/disk insertion slots to receive and to keep a card/disk therein through the card/disk insertion slots and a driving mechanism. The card carrier moves toward an inside position wherein the card/disk insertion slots stay within a housing of the internet set-top box, with the pivotable door being closed by the driving mechanism, and toward an outside position wherein the card/disk insertion slots stay outside a front panel through an opening of the housing, with the pivotable door being opened by the loading mechanism.

Abstract: A card carrier part is inserted into a contact carrier part of a card reader together with a card to be read therein. The card carrier part is embodied such that it can be slipped onto an edge portion of the card, thereby clamping the edge in place. As a result, both the size of the card carrier part and the size of a card reader that uses such a card carrier part can be reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A guard device for a postage meter, in particular protects an operator upon reaching into a mail feed mechanism for feeding letters that are inclined slightly to the rear and stand on one edge in a guide gap. The mail feed mechanism includes a revolving conveyor belt and contact-pressure elements secured thereto. Covering hoods are provided in a lateral deflection region of the conveyor belt. The risk to the operator is prevented even upon using the postage meter incorrectly by providing a side wall part of the covering hood in an exit region from the guide gap. The side wall part is easily released with the force of a finger and is coupled with a safety switch that short-circuits a motor which drives the conveyor belt if the side wall part is removed. A finger that becomes caught is thus released and the conveyor belt is stopped in an accelerated manner because of the effect of counter-inductance.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a SIM card reader with a contact support comprising contact elements with a cove for receiving a SIM card comprising two spaced longitudinal side edges and two spaced front and rear edges, with preferably two bearing apparatusses on the contact support and cover for enabling a pivoting motion between the cover and the contact support.

Abstract: The transaction terminal receives and reads information maintained on the card in a magnetic stripe or in an integrated circuit. A carriage is moved by an inserted card and moves from an initial position to a read position. The carriage is powered by the inserted card, and when the card is in the read position, the carriage is released and a magnetic head scans a magnetic stripe provided on the card. The terminal also causes an electrical connector to engage a card in the read position and form an electrical circuit with an integrated circuit if the card is a Smart Card. If a card is partially inserted, the carriage is held and does not automatically return to the initial position. Preferrably, a series of carriage hold positions are provided between the initial position and the read position. The terminal works in the same manner regardless of what type of card is used. In this way, the user merely fully inserts the card in the appropriate manner.

Abstract: A reader for chip cards with a housing (3) featuring an insertion slot (1) for the chip card (2), a number of pairs of contacts (6,7) corresponding to the number of read tracks, and a contact support frame (5) connected to the contact lead-ins (4), in which the contact lead-ins (4) held in the housing (3) are inserted in parallel from one side into the contact support frame (5) held in a free suspension by the contact lead-ins (4). On the side of the contact support frame (5) turned away from the contact lead-ins (4) there is an actuator element designed as a double arm lever (9, 10). The actuator element is held in the housing (3) by a transverse torsion spring arm (8) and its power arm (9) lies in the insertion path of the chip card (2) such that the work arm (10) of the actuator lever is twisted during insertion of the chip card (2) under tension of the torsion spring arms (8) and the contact support frame (5) and thus its associated contacts (6,7) are pressed against the chip card (2).

Abstract: A code information reading section selects recording codes which are respectively recorded on a plurality of recording media one at a time, and sequentially optically reads the recording codes in order to make it possible to synthesize a plurality of audio information items which are previously coded and recorded in an optically readable form and to simultaneously output them. A code information decoding section sequentially decodes the recording codes read by the code information reading section. A decoded information synthesizing section sequentially synthesizes digital audio signals sequentially decoded by the code information decoding section. A D/A converter converts the digital audio signal synthesized by the decoded information synthesizing section into an analog audio signal. An audio output section outputs the analog audio signal converted by the D/A converter as an audio output.

Abstract: A card system prevents contacts of a smart card from being scratched by contact members of a card reader to prevent the smart card from malfunctioning. The smart card system includes a smart card having contacts and a perforation hole therein, a card reader body formed at an upper surface thereof with an aperture, a contact frame disposed within the aperture and having a plurality of contact members attached thereto so as to contact the contacts, a slide protrusion inserted into the perforation hole of the smart card when the smart card reaches a reading position in the card reader, and a detect switch for detecting the insertion of the smart card. The smart card system prevents the contacts of the smart card from being damaged, so that a malfunction of the smart card can be prevented. The smart card system has a simple construction, so it can be easily manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid 4 of a holding type is used to drive a discharge-deterring member 3, the discharge-deterring member 3 is fixed by the electromagnetic solenoid 4 before insertion of an IC card 40, but in a state after a card detector 7 detects the insertion of the IC card 40, the electromagnetic solenoid 4 allows the discharge-deterring member 3 to operate, so that a card discharging member 2 is deterred from operating.

Abstract: The invention is related to a SMT-reader for SIM-cards and standard cards, where in a contact block is used. The contact block is mounted by means of soldering to a circuit board and contacting said circuit board in accordance with surface mounting technology (SMT). A card guide means disposed separate from the contact block and adapted to guide the SIM card or standard cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically reading tubular members, such as cylindrical vials, marked with electronically readable encoded information is disclosed. The apparatus is in the form of a jig having a receiving means adapted to receive an electronic identification means, such as a pen-type bar code reader therein. A receptacle within the jig is adapted to receive a tubular member therein and to allow rotation of the tubular member. An electronic identification means may be placed within the receiving means to read information encoded on the tubular member when placed within the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for recording and reproducing information prevents the bearing surface of an auxiliary bearing of a card carriage which is in sliding contact with an auxiliary guide rail from being locally worn. A main guide rail and the auxiliary guide rail are spaced in the same plane. The axis of the auxiliary guide rail is oblique at a predetermined very small angle to the axis of the main guide rail. The auxiliary bearing has a bearing bore having a slot-shaped cross section. Portions of the bearing surface of the bearing bore which are in contact with the auxiliary guide rail are displaced transversely to the direction of the stroke of the card carriage during the stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved two-piece SIM card-receiving connector comprising a housing having terminals mounted therein, and a card holder having a card-receiving section for receiving the SIM card. The card holder is slidably mounted to the housing by way of ledges formed on side edges of the card holder guided within channels formed along both sides of the housing. The housing includes a lock lever having a latch projection extending therefrom. The latch projection engages a corresponding recess formed on the card holder to lock the card holder and housing in an assembled condition. The two-piece construction allows the housing to be easily and automatically assembled to an underlying circuit board, and the sliding assembly of the card holder to the housing provides "self-cleaning" of the terminals during both assembly and removal of the card holder to the housing.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board is used to provide the contact elements of a chip card reader. The contact area of the contact elements is obtained by deforming the flexible circuit board into cusps, with a contacting force being applied to the cusps by a single spring element. The flexible circuit board can be folded along a line which is either transverse or parallel to the card insertion direction in order to enable engagement of contact elements with both sides of the card.

Abstract: A magnetic card reader assembly includes a magnetic read head being biased into a guide slot. The guide slot is defined by a first side wall, a second bottom wall and a third side wall. The first side wall has an opening for receiving the magnetic read head. A U-shaped member has a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is integrally connected to the first side wall as one piece unitary member. A read head mounting frame is fixedly connected to the magnetic read head.

Abstract: A card upside-down insertion preventive apparatus comprises a truncated corner portion formed at one end of a leading edge portion of a square card, a card tray disposed in a card insertion chamber communicating with a card inlet port, the card tray having a front abutment member and capable of moving in accordance with insertion of the card, the leading edge of the card being brought into abutment with the front abutment portion when the card is inserted through the card inlet port, a lock claw formed on the card tray, the lock claw being capable of displacing upwardly and downwardly in a direction perpendicular to the card insertion direction, a pressure receiving portion formed on the claw in a region within the truncated corner portion of the card which is in abutment with the front abutment member, the pressure receiving portion causing the lock claw to displace downwardly by being pressed by a non-truncated corner portion formed at the other end of the front edge portion of the card when the card is ins

Abstract: A PCMCIA memory card connection device is shown comprising a support frame in which is slidably mounted a chariot driven by an electric motor via a worm gear cooperating in a screw thread of a lateral guide of the chariot. A PCMCIA memory card is insertable into the connection device and connectable to a connector mounted on a transverse bar between lateral guides of the chariot. Full insertion of the card against the connector is detected by a micro switch mounted on the transverse bar of the chariot, whereby the electric motor is then actuated and draws back the chariots to a position where the memory card is well within the computing device and protected from electromagnetic interference by the faraday cage thereof.

Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system uses printed cards having a plurality of parallel tracks of contrasting fields representing digital 1's and 0's. A timing track is included as one of the parallel tracks. The card is manually read by a plural parallel track reader indexed to an edge of the card. A stop code, start code, checksum and number of data bytes are included in data stored on the cards. The system can sort the data correctly regardless of whether it is read backwards or forwards Error detection is implemented with a checksum system. Data read from the cards are preferably passed to a voice or sound synthesizer which outputs synthesized voice or sounds responsive to the data stored on the cards.

Abstract: A card reader that is resistant to vandalism is disclosed. The card recei (1), includes a slot (4) for receiving the front part of a card (3), and card reader (1L) using it. The card receiver (1) includes a bending element (6, 17P) applying, to the card (3), a torsional moment with respect to a bearing lip (5) of the slot (4) or to an opposed second bearing element (10), so that the card (3), once broken, can be pushed in by another card so as to lose contact with the bearing lip (5) and to drop into a cavity (12).

Abstract: A card reader stores the energy imparted by a user inserting a card into a slot. When the card is fully inserted, a release mechanism is triggered and the stored energy moves a read head over a coded stripe. In the preferred embodiment, a torsion spring mounted on a carriage winds about an axle. The axle has a gear at one end which engages a rack fixed on the base of the reader. The gear and axle rotate as the carriage is moved relative to the reader, thereby winding the torsion spring and storing energy. A set of ratchet teeth mounted on the base prevents the return of the carriage before the card is fully inserted into the slot. The reader can also accommodate reading and writing to smart cards.

Abstract: A card reader (10) is provided that comprises a forward gate (58) that prevents access to the interior of the card reader (10) by other than standard credit card-sized items. Side retainers (36), (38) and (40) coupled to retaining arms (28) and (30) serve to retain appropriately-sized cards and to eject cards which are not long enough. Rear retainers (54) and (56) serve to maintain appropriately-sized cards in contact with an electrical contact (74) of an electrical contact board (72). A fraud prevention antenna (86) prevents access to the electrical systems within card reader (10) from systems outside of card reader (10). A magnetic stripe reader (22) is included in a card guide (16) to allow card reader (10) to also use magnetic stripe cards.

Abstract: A device for reading magnetic information from documents hand-fed to the device is described herein. Such a device may be configured as a hand-fed check reader for reading MICR information from a check. The check reader includes a housing having a configuration designed to allow a human operator to efficiently hand-feed checks to the reader. In particular this configuration includes a check support surface and associated rail which assists the operator in guiding the check to a read head located adjacent to the surface. The read head is coupled to circuitry for generating signals representative of MICR information, and may be supported by a circuit board which also supports the circuitry. The reader also includes a drive mechanism having a drive wheel for forcing the check against the head while the check is driven along the head during reading.

Abstract: In a card reader, the transducer head is supported at one end of the guide path by a spring-loaded, pivoting arm. The spring is located adjacent the head and urges the head against the card as it passes under the head. The pivoted arm forces the head to follow a slightly arcuate path as it moves in a direction transverse to the card. With this head-support system, the guide path need only extend from approximately the pivot point of the arm to a point a short distance beyond the head and the card can be inserted laterally into the guide just behind the head. The card is read by moving the card longitudinally past the head a distance approximately equal to the length of the card so that it exits the guide just after it passes under the head.

Abstract: An optical data storage and retrieval system uses printed cards having a plurality of parallel tracks of contrasting fields representing digital 1's and 0's. A timing track is included as one of the parallel tracks. The card is manually read by a plural parallel track reader indexed to an edge of the card. A stop code, start code, checksum and number of data bytes are included in data stored on the cards. The system can sort the data correctly regardless of whether it is read backwards or forwards Error detection is implemented with a checksum system. Data read from the cards are preferably passed to a voice or sound synthesizer which outputs synthesized voice or sounds responsive to the data stored on the cards.

Abstract: An information recording medium cleaning device includes moving the recording medium and the cleaning device relative to each other and a detection device for detecting a degree of stain caused by dust, fingerprints or oil, for example, on the information recording medium. Cleaning is performed based on the degree of stain detected on the information recording medium.

Abstract: Resilient wipers (4a, 4b) cooperate with inclined planes (13a, 13b) to maintain the card (7) constantly parallel to the base part (1) of the card reader during the introduction of the card into the reading compartment (12). The free ends of the wipers (4a, 4b) are biased into a plane further from that of the base part (1) than that which the free ends of the reading wipers (3a, 3b) tend to assume. This device is simple and compact and makes it possible to eliminate static electricity created by the card rubbing against the card reader.

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: Optical reader apparatus for reading data on a data carrier. A housing defines a data carrier slot having an optical data window at a prearranged position. An optical reading means is mounted within the housing for reading data scanned past the optical data window. A door assembly is mounted in a hinged relation to the housing means opposite the optical read window. The door has closed and open positions and permits access to the optical data window in the open position. The door assembly carries a resilient pressure spring. The resilient pressure spring urges a data carrier passing through the data carrier slot into optical reading contact with the optical data window. The door assembly mounts the resilient spring member within a frame for easy removability. The resilient pressure spring carries an optical compensation member on a forward surface thereof so that the optical compensation member is presented to the optical data window when a data carrier is not present.

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: An imaging device of the present invention utilized for game cards or the like, comprises a passive compliant card scanner having a wide acceptance angle configured for easy insertion of cards. A code sensor is mounted within the passive compliant card scanner and is adapted to read binary zones identifying a code, even when the binary zones are misaligned relative to the code sensor, when the card is fully inserted into the passive compliant card scanner. The passive compliant card scanner has a high tolerance for the position and condition in which the card is inserted. In addition, the imaging device comprises a validation sensor, configured to prevent fraudulent play by a retailer or the like, to pick out winning game cards. The validation sensor is coupled to a voice unit and is adapted to actuate the voice unit to announce a message, upon detecting improper play.

Abstract: A smart card reader comprises contact members and card guiding and positioning devices including a guide corridor and an end of travel positioning abutment. The combination establishes electrical connections between the contact members and conductive lands of a card inserted into the reader until it bears against the end of travel positioning abutment. The end of travel positioning abutment is retractable. The card guide corridor is open at its inner end to the rear of the retractable abutment.

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: A device for reading data encoded on a form has a removable scanning wand and a housing defining a slot for receiving the form. The wand functions as the input means of a slot reader when received in the housing, and is useful independently of the housing as a hand held scanning wand. The slot of the housing receives the form so as to position data on the form at a predetermined position and the wand is directed at the predetermined position when received in the housing. The wand, or other similar data read head for bar code, magnetic strips, OCR characters or the like, is preferably positively positioned in the housing by a spring biased clip releasable by finger pressure. The wand can be coupled by a connecting lead to a further terminal apart from the housing, to which terminal the housing can preferably be attached to add a slot reader capability.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and guiding an optical character reader across a document containing information to be read, such as a business card or an identification card, comprises a frame having a top surface, and a pair of rails disposed on the top surface of the frame, the optical character reader being supported for sliding movement along the rails. An inner guide is located at a forward end of the apparatus. The inner guide includes a slot which receives the optical character reader and acts as a stop for it, thereby determining an initial position of the optical character reader. The top surface of the frame includes an inclined depression which is dimensioned for closely receiving the business or identification card. Desirably, the depression includes a clamping slot along a rear edge thereof into which the business or identification card can be inserted.

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 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 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 punchcode reader is provided for reading data encoded in a punchcode hole array on a dosimeter. The dosimeter falls through a passage in the reader containing photosensor detectors disposed along the passage which provide output signals to a microprocessor. The signals are processed to determine the orientation of the dosimeter in the reader, the location and state of punchcode holes in a two row array thereby decoding the encoded data. Multiple rate of fall calculations are made, and if appropriate matching of the punchcode array is not obtained in three tries, an error signal is outputted to the operator. The punchcode reader also provides for storage of data from multiple dosimeters passed through the reader, and for the output of decoded data to an external display or a computer for further processing.