US 5,969,331 AGranted

Card reading device

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsAlbert Hoolhorst, Paul Ryckaert

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Abstract

A card reading device for receiving and/or passing on information provided by or for a card. The card reading device has a compartment that makes it possible for the card to be pushed into the card reading device. The card reading device described is distinguished by a resiliently held locking element which, in an initial position, protrudes into the compartment and is configured in such a way that the card can make contact with a first region or a second region of the locking element when it is pushed into the compartment. In particular, the entry of the card is dependent on its orientation when it is pushed into the card reading device. When the card runs onto the first region, the locking element can be pushed away by the card, allowing the entry of the card into the compartment. When the card runs onto the second region of the locking element, the latter keeps the compartment blocked and thereby prevents the continued entry of the card into the compartment.

Claims8

Dependent claims

In combination with a card, a card reading device for receiving and passing on information provided by or for the card, comprising:

a card reading body having a compartment formed therein for receiving the card pushed into said compartment;
a resiliently held locking element having a first region and a second region disposed on said card reading body, said resiliently held locking element in an initial position protruding into said compartment and the card upon entry into said compartment making contact with one of said first region and said second region of said locking element, an orientation of the card dictating contact with said one of said first region and said second region, if the card runs onto said first region said locking element being pushed away by the card and opening said compartment for the continued entry of the card, if the card runs onto said second region of said locking element said second region blocking said entry of the card into said compartment;
and
upon the card completely passing over said locking element the card stops pushing away said locking element and said locking element automatically returning to said initial position and once again blocking entry into said compartment, said locking element also gripping from behind the card pushed into said compartment and arresting said card in a reading position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/174,733Filed 19 Oct 1998 · continuation
Priority: 9 Apr 1997
Granted: 19 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G06K 13/085
Feeding or discharging cards: using an arrangement for locking the inserted card
G06K 7/0021
By galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers: for reading/sensing record…
G06K 13/08
The record carrier having longitudinal dimension comparable with transverse dimension, e.g. punched card: feeding or discharging cards
G06K
Graphical data reading