Patent · US Expired

Credit card reader

US5463678A · kind A · utility

86Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 26, 1993
Grant dateOct 31, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 26, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M2250/14
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.