Reader device for bar-coded authorization cards
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reading authorization cards of different sizes that contain a field with a bar code extending in a first direction, comprising:
- a housing with a slot-shaped insertion opening for inserting a card with a bar code field into an interior space of the housing, the card being inserted into the insertion opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the bar code field, a width of the insertion opening corresponding to a width of the widest card to be read by the apparatus;
a reading head within the interior space of the apparatus, in a region inwardly of and directly adjacent the insertion opening, for scanning the bar code in a line perpendicular to the second direction in which the card is inserted, the reading head comprising an optoelectric transducer that extends across the card in the first direction, and a light source configured to project light upon the bar code field as a line extending in the first direction; and
a stop contained within the interior space of the apparatus at a first predetermined distance from the reading head and configured to limit a distance an inserted card can travel within the housing, as well as straighten an orientation of a card of sufficient length inserted in the housing, the first predetermined distance between the reading head and the stop being, for the longest card to be read by the apparatus, greater than a distance between a leading edge of the longest card and an edge of the bar code field upon the longest card that faces away from the leading edge of the longest card;
wherein a card inserted lengthwise through the insertion opening into the interior space can be sufficiently displaced within the housing so that a leading edge of the inserted card extends beyond the scan line of the reading head by a distance less than or equal to the first predetermined distance between the reading head and the stop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for reading authorization cards with a bar code has a housing with an insertion slot for inserting the card and at least one reading head in the housing for scanning the bar code in a line perpendicular to the insertion direction of the card. The space in the housing is formed to be so long that the card is insertable further beyond the scan line of the reading head by a path (d) that is greater than the distance (c′) between the leading edge of the card and the end of the bar code field facing away from the leading edge. This permits reading of cards with different lengths (a) and different positions (c′) of the bar code field.
36 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reading authorization cards of different sizes that contain a field with a bar code extending in a first direction, comprising:
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a housing with a slot-shaped insertion opening for inserting a card with a bar code field into an interior space of the housing, the card being inserted into the insertion opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the bar code field, a width of the insertion opening corresponding to a width of the widest card to be read by the apparatus;
a reading head within the interior space of the apparatus, in a region inwardly of and directly adjacent the insertion opening, for scanning the bar code in a line perpendicular to the second direction in which the card is inserted, the reading head comprising an optoelectric transducer that extends across the card in the first direction, and a light source configured to project light upon the bar code field as a line extending in the first direction; and
a stop contained within the interior space of the apparatus at a first predetermined distance from the reading head and configured to limit a distance an inserted card can travel within the housing, as well as straighten an orientation of a card of sufficient length inserted in the housing, the first predetermined distance between the reading head and the stop being, for the longest card to be read by the apparatus, greater than a distance between a leading edge of the longest card and an edge of the bar code field upon the longest card that faces away from the leading edge of the longest card;
wherein a card inserted lengthwise through the insertion opening into the interior space can be sufficiently displaced within the housing so that a leading edge of the inserted card extends beyond the scan line of the reading head by a distance less than or equal to the first predetermined distance between the reading head and the stop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for reading authorization cards of varying sizes having a bar code printed thereon, comprising:
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a housing with a slot-shaped insertion opening for passing a card at least partially into an interior of the housing, the insertion opening having a width corresponding to a width of the widest card to be read by the apparatus;
a card guide contained within the interior of the housing for guiding the movement of a card at least partially inserted into the interior of the housing;
a reading head within the interior of the apparatus for reading the bar code upon a card, the reading head being configured to scan a transverse region of a card that has been inserted into the interior of the apparatus, the transverse region being positioned inwardly of and directly adjacent to the insertion opening and extending generally parallel to the insertion opening to permit reading of the bar code;
a stopping mechanism contained within the interior of the apparatus at a predetermined distance from the scan region of the reading head and configured to adjust an orientation of an inserted card so that a leading edge of the card is oriented perpendicularly to the direction of insertion of the card into and the apparatus;
wherein the predetermined distance between the stopping mechanism and scan region of the reading head is greater than a distance between the leading edge of a card and trailing edge of the bar code of the card for the longest card to be read by the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification