Universal card reader apparatus and method
US7441701B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K13/06
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiple card reading apparatus for reading at least two different types of information cards that may be used in a handheld point of sale device with printing capability. The multiple card reading apparatus has a housing containing at least two card reading devices and defining slots that receive the cards and position them for reading by the card reading devices. In one aspect, the slots overlap facilitating a compact arrangement of the card reading apparatus. Preferably, the common portions of the slots are an entrance portion so that only a single slot marks the outside of the housing. For instance, the slots may originate in the same position but diverge at different angles from each other. In this manner, different types of cards can be inserted through the same opening portion but at different angles to reach different card reading devices capable of reading its respective type of card.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.