Abstract: In order to make it possible to determine the erroneous insertion of an information recording medium at a position close to a recording medium insertion port by utilizing a notch portion provided at the information recording medium, the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus comprising a recording medium insertion port for taking in and out a memory stick having a notch portion used to prevent erroneous insertion and provided in one corner, and an erroneous insertion preventive mechanism provided inside the recording medium insertion port so as to prevent the erroneous insertion of the memory stick, and recording and/or reproducing an information signal using the memory stick. The erroneous insertion preventive mechanism is moved outside for the notch portion of the memory stick to allow the insertion of the memory stick, and is engaged for corners other than the notch portion to hamper the insertion of the memory stick.

Abstract: A skew detecting apparatus has a spherical roller rolling in contact with the surface of a medium guided on a medium transfer path; and skew detecting device for acquiring a skew displacement of the medium which is transferred on the basis of a degree of rolling of the spherical roller detected in both medium transfer direction and medium transfer-width direction. Accordingly, the degree of skew of the medium to be transferred is acquired to assure the normal data processing for the medium.

Abstract: A unitary guide and shield member (13) for use in guiding time cards (10) to a time and attendance recorder is provided. The guide and shield member serves to (1) guide the time card to feed rolls (16), (2) hold the time card at a substantially constant distance from a light source and a light sensor, and (3) protect the light sensor from ambient light.

Abstract: A chip card reader which includes a housing consisting of a base (4) and a cover (12). An insulating frame (6) is provided, which supports electric contacts connected, on the one hand, to a printed board (9) on which electronic data processing components are mounted and, on the other hand, to a universal USB socket, snapped at the end of the housing. The reader is characterized in that it includes a linearly moving slide unit (14) which is designed to transport the chip card (2) from the outside into the housing to connect the conductive segments of the card (2) to the electric contacts of the socket (10).

Abstract: In order to assure a reliable insertion into the data exchange position even of cards with strongly bent downwards surface in longitudinal direction for a card reader (1), into which a data storage card (2) can be inserted for information exchange, with a card guide (4,5) which guides the card (2) approximately horizontally into its data-exchange position, which card guide is interrupted downwards in a section in the direction of insertion (3), the length (L) of said interrupted section is less than the normal card length, and with a drop opening (8) for cards (2′) of shorter length than normal cards (2) provided beneath the interrupted section (7), where when in the data exchange position, the front end (2a) of the card rests against a support (11) in the card reader (1), a stopping segment (15) extends, counter to the direction of insertion (3), from the support (11) to beneath the interrupted section (7) of the card guide.

Abstract: In a method of prolonging an electrical connection between a card that has a readable and a writeable memory and a reader/writer of the card, a writing cycle commenced on the card has time to be completed before the electrical connection is broken. The card is placed in the reader on a sliding carriage that moves with the card, during which time the card and the reader are in electrical contact. An inner contact breaker allows a signal permitting writing on the card when the card reaches its end position. An outer contact breaker allows a signal permitting reading of the card before the card reaches its end position.

Abstract: A card reader connector includes a main body (10) and an extension bracket (50) removably attached to the main body. The main body includes an insulative housing (12) and metal contacts (22). A memory card (90) is inserted into slide grooves (24) of the housing, connected to the metal contacts, and supported by the housing. When the extension bracket is attached to the main body, it guides the card into the slide grooves and facilitates support of the inserted card. In one use, the main body without the extension bracket is mounted to a circuit board(72)of an electronic device (70). Part of an inserted card remains exposed outside of the device. In an alternative use, the main body 10 with the extension bracket attached thereto is mounted to a circuit board (82) of an electronic device (80). An inserted card is thus hidden within the device.

Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement of the type comprising a unit into which a badge is introduced manually into a housing in the unit, and which comprises a lever for immobilizing the badge in an active position in the unit and an electromagnet made to lock the immobilizing lever, wherein this arrangement comprises a member for manually unlocking the immobilizing lever which acts on the mobile core plunger of the electromagnet. It is applicable on board of a motor vehicle in which the anti-theft functions are partially or completely fulfilled by data processing, some of which data represents an authorized user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A card reader (10) includes a housing (12) having a top wall (14), opposed side walls (34), a closed end (30) and an open end (26) defining a card-receiving slot (40), and an array of terminals (50) secured in the housing. The card-receiving slot (40) is spaced upwardly a selected distance from a board-mounting face (22) of the housing (12). The top wall (14) includes an opening (18) therethrough in communication with the card-receiving slot (40) remote from the terminals (50), the opening (18) being aligned with a corresponding opening in the housing (12) beneath the card-receiving slot (40). Portions of a circuit board (70) beneath the housing are exposed for access from above the card reader (10) after mounting to the board (70), when a card (60) is not disposed in the card-receiving slot (40), thereby permitting low profile electronic components (76) to be mounted on the exposed portions of the board or tested or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A hand-held barcode reader apparatus has a hand-held body with an elongated hole for receiving a barcode reader. A ski-member is mounted to the hand-held body to allow the apparatus to slide smoothly over a media aligned along a base member. The base member has upper and lower members and a flappable member with a runway being defined in the upper and flappable members. A flat surface of the runway stably holds the hand-held body in position thus allowing an accurate read of a media held between the flappable member and lower member the base member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic age verification device that reads data stored on a data carrier or readable medium, such as a driver's license or identification card, then calculates and displays information such as the license or cardholder's age and the expiration status of the license or identification card.

Abstract: A drive unit (7) of an electronic apparatus drives a first transport mechanism (4) for transporting a memory card (1) between an eject position and an intermediate position, and a second transport mechanism (5) for transporting the memory card (1) between an intermediate position and a play position. The second transport mechanism (5) is coupled to the drive unit (7) by a lead screw transmission (9,14).

Abstract: A data processing system has a reader device adapted to read information residing on a first type of storage article (such as a floppy diskette), and a holder is provided which is substantially identical in size and shape to the first type of storage article, but allows the reader device to read a card which bears machine-readable information, such as a credit card. The holder can have a slot therein for receiving the card, which is aligned within the holder to position a portion of the information medium at an access area of the holder. The machine-readable information can be, for example, encoded on a magnetic strip on the card. The system allows network-based transactions which read from the card as well as write to it.

Abstract: A device for holding a charge couple device (CCD) in an optical scanner where optical alignment of the CCD to the position of scanned image of document can be easily made. The device includes a holder for holding a lens and providing a focused image taken from the scanned document; and a positioning element mounted on the holder for adapting a CCD to be slightly moved in a line along a longitudinal direction of the CCD and aligned with the focused image. The positioning element is furnished with a matching hole for carrying a bottom portion of the CCD. The positioning element mounted to the holder only needs one-dimensional adjustment in shifting which is easier and more effective.

Abstract: A smart card reader includes a smart card reader housing, and at least one movable locator connected to the housing. The movable locator has one end positionable away from the housing for engagement with an edge of a smart card.

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: An optical reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional indicia. The optical reading device, that may include a bar code reader, comprises a guide whose length along the optical reader optical axis is such that when that guide contacts the part or equipment surrounding the indicia to be read, that indicia is within the optical reader depth of field. The reader comprises a housing having therein a source of illumination and optics for producing a diverging beam for illuminating indica. A spacing element transparent guide is removably attached to the housing, and does not block indicia. The line of contact of the guide with the data carrier is substantially fully visible to the operator, who can thus confirm that the guide is in proper operating position relative to the indica prior to initiating a reading operation. A reading operation can be initiated by pressing on the guide to actuate a switch, or on a manual trigger.

Abstract: A transaction card reader for manually inserted cards includes a vertically moveable gate located just inward of the card insertion opening. The gate is moved from its closed or blocking position in response to the leading card edge engaging and applying symmetrical lifting forces to the gate. Guide members guide the vertical gate movement if the card is oriented at the correct angle in the insertion plane to produce symmetrical lifting forces. These guide members impede the gate from moving from its closed position if one card leading edge portion engages the gate before the other. In one exemplary embodiment, the gate includes a pair of spaced cam surfaces facing the user. If the leading card edge engages one cam surface before the other, the gate will skew and bind in a gateway. If both cam surfaces are engaged substantially simultaneously, the gate rises vertically in the gateway. A gate spring symmetrically biases the gate member toward the closed position.

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: A card read/write apparatus for reading or writing information from or into an IC memory region of a card comprises a card carriage formed with an IC exposure opening through which the IC memory region of the card is exposed when the card is placed on the card carriage, and a contact device having contact pins that is protruded into or retracted from the IC exposure aperture while being maintained to be in parallel with the IC memory region of the card so as to contact with or move away from the IC memory region of the card which is exposed from the IC exposure aperture.

Abstract: Portable transaction terminal apparatus adapted for use in eating and drinking establishments. A terminal housing has a generally rectangular shape and a size slightly larger in length and width to corresponding dimensions of a restaurant guest check. A folio-type cover is mounted to a left side portion of the terminal housing by a hinge arrangement and thereby adapted to swing between open and closed cover positions, the cover corresponding in length and width to the terminal housing so as to completely cover a top face of the terminal housing in the closed cover position and to lie flat against a surface in the open cover position. A data entry keypad and an alphanumeric display are carried on the top face of the terminal housing. A card reader module is mounted in the terminal housing for accepting and reading a transaction data card selected for use by a guest of the establishment for payment of the amount of the guest check.

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: Apparatus for use in an unsupervised public setting to receive a smart card so the card front portion can enter a card reader (20), which safeguards the card reader from vandalism. A card gate mechanism (30) includes a gate device (32) that is moveable between a closed position wherein it blocks the card path (16) and an open position which allows passage of the card to the card reader. At least one lever (34, 36, 38) has a card-engaging part (50, 52, 72) lying along the card path so the lever is deflected by the leading edge (46) of the card to release the gate device so it can open. Preferably, a plurality of card-engaging levers have card-engaging parts which must be deflected by the card leading edge to allow the gate to open, with at least one and preferably two of the levers deflected to the side of the card path by the leading edge of the card. The gate has a roller (100) that rolls along the top of the card when the gate is raised, to avoid scratching the card.

Abstract: A scanner guide for attachment to a pre-existing bar code scanner wand to enable such a wand to read bar coded labels disposed on a cylindrical surface of a relatively small diameter such as containers used for the collection of medical specimens. The scanner guide includes a cylindrical pin having a mounting base for positioning the same in generally parallel relation to a center axis of the scanner wand at a predetermined distance therefrom based upon the diameter of the cylindrical containers whereon the bar coded labels are disposed. A bottom surface of the mounting base is shaped to conform to the contour of the wand whereon it is to be mounted. In such an arrangement the scanner wand is held at a proper disposition in relation to the bar coded label as it is passed in a longitudinal direction over the same on the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a structural improvement on ID card processor, including such components as a base plate, one or more sets of terminals, a movable press plate and a clamping piece, that are designed to reduce the friction between the ID card and the terminals after the ID card slides into the processing slot, and that when the ID card reaches its extreme position, the movable press plate will be prompted to push the ID card towards the terminals to enable their connection, and when the ID card reaches its position inside the processor slot, a clamping piece will enable the movable press plate to hold the ID card, so the terminals can steadily contact the ID card without swaying.

Abstract: A document dispenser comprises a document guide defining a guide portion of an advancing document path and a document identification code reading aperture formed in the document guide wherein a single detector in communication with the dispenser controller is positioned proximate the document identification code reading aperture and is operative to read a specific document identification code through the document identification code reading aperture. Correlated data, indicative of a specific document identification code and corresponding document data input during dispensing of a document carrying the specific document identification code, is generated subsequent the reading of the identification code. A plurality of alternative document identification code reading apertures are formed in the document guide.

Abstract: A portable telephone includes an electronic card reader for reading Micro SIM cards of different formats. The reader has a wall with a card supporting side and a connector whose resilient contact terminals protrude from the supporting side through an opening. For holding a small-format card in the reading position, the wall has a recess for receiving the small-format card while the card is in contact with the contact terminals of the connector, in the lower portion of which recess is accommodated a sheet steel adapter integral with the wall, which an adapter has a clearance in a normal direction to the wall at least equal to the thickness of the small-format card and has a hole opposite the opening.

Abstract: The apparatus for reading a symbol of a 2-dimensional code has a diffusion plate and a diffuse reflection surface between a light source unit and an opening to prevent light emitted from the light source unit from directly reaching the opening. Illumination light from the light source unit reaches the diffuse reflection surface while the central axis of the light is shifted from the optical path to the diffusion plate. With this arrangement, nonuniformity of illumination light irradiated on a a symbol on object can be prevented, and a halation of light can be prevented. The symbol of the 2-dimensional code can therefore be accurately read.

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: An EPL having a two-dimensional (2-D) bar code reader which reads a two-dimensional bar code label on a back side of an overlay. The two-dimensional bar code label is situated adjacent the two-dimensional bar code reader when the overlay is installed. The two-dimensional bar code label may contain data for the item associated with the electronic price label or programming instructions for controlling the electronic price label. The two-dimensional bar code reader is activated by a switch only when necessary to read a new two-dimensional bar code label. The switch may be activated manually or remotely by a computer coupled to the electronic price label.

Abstract: An optical reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional indicia. The optical reading device, that may include a bar code reader, comprises a lens assembly and a guide detachably mounted on a front portion of the housing for establishing a distance between the lens assembly and an equipment target that is displaced a predetermined distance from a mark target wherein the optical reader further comprises an attaching member for supporting the lens assembly on the guide to form a detachable lens-guide assembly.

Abstract: An IC card issuing apparatus has a feeding mechanism which feed an IC card supplied form a card supply device along a feeding path. A head body of a head unit has an abutting portion and contact pins. When an IC card is fed along the feeding path, the leading end of the IC card abuts against the abutting portion of the head body and pushes it. By being pushed by the IC card, the head body moves from a standby position to a discharge position through a connect position. In the standby position and discharge position, the contact pins are spaced apart from connect terminals of the IC card, and in the connect position, the contact pins bring into contact with the connect terminals of the IC card.

Abstract: A scanner guide slides along a guide rail aligned with a scanning path of the scanner. A positioner with projections or holes on the guide rail cooperates with holes or projections in the guide to identify a position of the scanner within bounds equal to or less than a maximum scanning path. The scanner is swingable between a scanning position overlying a bar code and an upright non-use position displaced from the bar code scanning surface. A bar code of extended length can be precisely verified as well as a shorter bar code by the bar code reader.

Abstract: An optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information with a light beam in or from a card information recording medium provided with a plurality of linear tracks, includes a card holder on which the medium is mounted, an optical head for projecting the light beam toward the medium, and a card holder moving mechanism for moving the card holder in a transverse direction to the tracks. An optical head moving mechanism translates the optical head in a direction along the tracks, and a holding mechanism provided below the card holder, holds the medium on the card holder.

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 card feeding device for feeding a rectangular card along a card feeding direction that intersects a line across the width of the card at a right angle. The card feeding device includes a guide mechanism for leading guide portions provided at side edges of the card along the card feeding direction, a drive roller for elastically contacting a first side edge of the card, and a facing roller positioned opposite to the drive roller for freely and rotatably contacting a second side edge of the card opposite the first side edge of the card contacted by the drive roller. An axis of rotation of the drive roller is displaced, in a direction opposite to the card feeding direction, from an axis of rotation of the facing roller, such that the drive roller and the facing roller hold the card and feed the card directly in the card feeding direction.

Abstract: A structure of a card insertion port includes a card reader, an insertion port plate, and a coupling portion. The card reader is incorporated in an apparatus main body and reads/writes information from and on a card. The card reader has a slit-like card intake port arranged to oppose a front case of the apparatus main body. The insertion port plate is formed to be physically separate from the card intake port and mounted to an opening in the front case. The insertion port plate has a slit-like card insertion port extending from a front surface to a rear surface of the front case and is closely opposite to the card intake port. The coupling portion couples the card insertion port and the card intake port, thereby constituting a card intake path extending from the card insertion port to the card intake port. A method of mounting a card insertion port member is also provided.

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 data symbol reader which reads a two-dimensional data symbol includes a reading device which receives light reflected from the data symbol, a casing in which the reading device is provided, and a guide member which defines a symbol reading area in which the data symbol can be positioned. The guide member is attached to the casing and is moveable between a fisrt postion in witch the position of the data symbol realative to the symbol reading area can be viewed from the exterior of the data symbol reader, and a second position in whitch the data symbol can be read by the the reading device in the casing.

Abstract: A contact bar code reader is suitable for reading 2-dimensional bar codes. The reader comprises a housing having therein a source of illumination and optics for producing a diverging beam for illuminating a bar code symbol. A transparent frustoconical guide is removably attached to the housing, and has an conical angle corresponding to the beam's angle of divergence. The guide is dimensioned to encompass the bar code symbol, and its line of contact with the data carrier is substantially fully visible to the operator, who can thus confirm that the guide is in proper operating position relative to the bar code symbol prior to initiating a reading operation. A reading operation can be initiated by pressing on the guide to actuate a switch, or on a manual trigger.

Abstract: A card entry gate has a slot defining several ridges extending longitudinally from the upper and lower surfaces of the slot. A data-bearing card, with an encoded strip and embossed portions, fits between the ridges of the slot when inserted lengthwise in any orientation. The ridges are positioned to avoid the encoded strip and the embossed portions, thereby preventing damage to the card and reducing jitter. The ridges further resist the malicious or accidental insertion of certain coins, odd-shaped cards, and many foreign objects.

Abstract: A filing system is provided for locating a particular file contained in a file holder which contains a plurality of files. The apparatus includes a machine-readable code mounted on each of the files, a guide attached to each file holder, a scanner for reading the codes on the files in a file holder, and an indicator for indicating when the particular machine-readable code corresponding to the particular file is located. The apparatus uses an improved bar code in which character boundaries are eliminated and the number of ONE's and ZERO's in a code are variable, resulting in increased data density. The unique numeric values which result from the improved bar code sparsely populate the possible range of values, and therefore a mapping algorithm is provided to map the bar code values to a sequential numeric system for ease of use.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading information off a document such as a check is herein disclosed. The apparatus includes an apparatus housing defining a specific path through which the document is intended to pass during normal operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an arrangement including a read head positioned at a fixed point on the path and cooperating circuitry for reading specific information off of the document as the document is caused to move through the path and across the read head. And, the apparatus includes an arrangement for moving the document through the path and across the read head along with causing the document to engage against the read head as the document moves across the read head. This document moving arrangement includes an arrangement supporting a freely rotating idler roller which is positioned to engage the document against the read head.

Abstract: In order to certainly receive a proper IC card having a regular length to a terminal contact position without causing a forcible force to act on an integrated circuit incorporated in the IC card to discharge a wrong card having a length smaller than the regular length, an IC card inserted from a card insertion port is advanced toward a card storage unit of a frame having an opening formed in the lower surface thereof while the IC card is slightly pressed downward, and the leading end of the IC card is brought into contact with a card receiver of a slide member. The slide member is biased by a spring toward the card insertion port and is slid backward when the IC card is pressed deeper with a force stronger than the biasing force of the spring.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a lever provided in a housing. The lever has a stop piece on its first end which is located near a card insertion slot. The lever also has contact rollers on its second end which is opposite to the first end. The lever is rotatable around an axis with respect to a card passageway. The axis extends perpendicular to the passageway between the first and second ends. The lever is urged by a tension spring so that the contact rollers can contact a card being transferred in the passageway and that the stop piece cannot block the passageway. If a card is inserted from the insertion slot into the housing and transferred along the passageway, the card abuts the contact rollers to rotate the lever. As a result, the stop piece blocks the passageway to prevent successive insertion of two cards.

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: A filing system is provided for locating a particular file contained in a file holder which contains a plurality of files. The apparatus includes a machine-readable code mounted on each of said files, a guide attached to each file holder, a scanner for reading the codes on the files in a file holder, and an indicator for indicating when the particular machine-readable code corresponding to the particular file is located. The apparatus uses an improved bar code in which character boundaries are eliminated and the number of ONE's and ZERO's in a code are variable, resulting in increased data density. The unique numeric values which result from the improved bar code sparsely populate the possible range of values, and therefore a mapping algorithm is provided to map the bar code values to a sequential numeric system for ease of use.

Abstract: A data card terminal, such as a credit card transaction terminal, is disclosed. The terminal includes a transaction terminal comprising an embossed character reader and magnetic stripe reader, with a separate signature capture printer. The transaction terminal is operative for detecting the physical presence of a data card during a card transaction. The embossed character reader employs a tactile imager and pattern recognition for detecting the embossed characters on the data card. A signature capturing printer prints a paper receipt, which is signed by a cardholder at a signature capturing window on the printer. A signature capturing system digitizes and compresses signals corresponding to the signature of the card holder. Transaction data including compressed signature signals and signals indicative of the presence of the card are transmitted to the host computer system of a transaction processor, who guarantees the transaction as chargeback-protected under certain circumstances.

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 guide for mounting on an optical scanner, said guide including a guide framework provided with a laterally extending guide arm having a straight edge bearing surface which cooperates with a bearing surface on the scanner housing whereby the scanner can be moved in a parallel relationship with the straight edge to prevent lateral movement of the scanner or unintentional rotation of the scanner for superior scanning capability. The guide arm is preferably received within a passage or channel in the framework for reciprocal, lateral movement to adjust the guide arm and hence the bearing surface to be in proper alignment with the bearing surface on the scanner. Double sided adhesive tape provides secure attachment and detachment from the scanner without mutilation of the scanner.