Card validator
AssigneeUMC Industries, Inc.
InventorsJoseph R. Frattarola, Peter W. Ford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A validator for a card bearing a code readable by moving the card forward past a reader, particularly for use in a vendor to control vending, in which the card is transported forward from an entry position past the reader to an escrow position. If read as valid, the card is maintained in the escrow position pending the user's decision to have the card collected or to obtain return of his card. If the card is read as invalid, it is immediately fed back to the user. The card transport is such as to prevent a valid card from being pulled back out of the validator as by a string or tape attached to the card, and the validator is so constructed that it is easily opened for servicing, including removal of a card which may become jammed in the validator.
Claims15
A validator for a card bearing a code readable by moving the card forward past a reader, comprising:
- means for guiding a card for travel along a predetermined path, the card being movable forward in said guide means from a position of entry therein;
- a reader for reading the code on the card as it travels forward along said path from said entry position;
- card transport means comprising a plurality of pushers of which a first is movable forward from a starting position trailing the card in entry position to a second position to engage the trailing end of the card and push it forward from the entry position to a second position, and a second is movable forward with the first from a starting position leading the card in entry position to a second position and is movable in the reverse direction to push the card back in the guide means for return of the card;
- and
- means for driving the card transport means in forward direction for the first pusher to push a card forward in the guide means from its entry position past the reader to read the code on the card and deliver the card to the second position, and for driving the card transport means in the reverse direction for the second pusher to push a card back in the guide means for return of the card, said driving means including means for maintaining the position of the pusher at the trailing end of a card in the second position for preventing the card from being pulled back out of the guide means while allowing the card transport means to be driven in the reverse direction.
A validator for a card bearing a code readable by moving the card forward past a reader, comprising:
- means defining a linear channel adapted for endwise insertion of a card at one end thereof and for endwise movement of the card therethrough;
- a reader located along said channel for reading a card moving forward in said channel from an entry position into which the card is inserted to a dwell position;
- at least one endless belt;
- means guiding the belt for travel in an endless path including a linear reach extending longitudinally of said channel, said belt having a series of pushers spaced at equal intervals along its length and extending outwardly from the belt, the spacing of the pushers being greater than the length of a card;
- and
- means comprising a reversible electric motor for driving the belt in a forward direction for a first one of said pushers to move the card forward along the channel from its entry position past the reader and deliver the card to the dwell position and for driving the belt in the reverse direction for a second one of said pushers to move the card back in the channel for return of the card, said driving means further comprising means for maintaining the position of the first said pusher for preventing the card from being pulled back out of the guide means while allowing the belt to be driven in the reverse direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.