System and method for reading data record stripes on data cards
US5019696A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1988 |
| Grant date | May 28, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K13/08
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for reading a data record stripe on a credit card which includes an injection molded case including a card guide slot integrally molded into the case near one side thereof and a read head window integrally formed in one sidewall of the card guide slot. A data read head assembly having a read head on a front face thereof is mounted in the read head window and is spring biased toward the wall of the card slot opposite the read head window. A circuit arrangement is coupled to the read head assembly for detecting data signals on a card passing through the slot and converting the data signals to a substantially square wave signal pattern representing binary signal data in the form of positive and negative signal transitions of the square wave signal. A microcomputer circuit coupled to the circuit arrangement is programmed to detect positive and negative signal transitions, to register in individual memory locations the time interval between successive signal transitions, and to reconstruct the binary signal data from the pattern of the registered time intervals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.