Registers – Coded record sensors – Hand feed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-02-13
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Hand feed
C235S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186402
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to credit card and smart card readers and, more particularly, to apparatus for processing warped, bowed, or bent credit and smart cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Unfortunately, warped credit and smart cards are a ubiquitous phenomenon. These sorts of cards tend to deform and warp easily when disposed in wallets that are carried in back pockets. The reading of such bent, bowed, or warped credit and smart cards can be a problem for a card reader.
For example, some credit and smart card readers, such as Axiohm Model No. 170 readers, have a debris opening to allow items other than full credit cards to drop out of the card reader. This opening prevents frequent jamming that would require maintenance and repair.
It has been observed that bent, bowed, or warped cards tend to drop through the aforementioned debris opening without being processed. This is due to the fact that the warped card may not follow the processing path within the reader. The leading edge of a warped card can pass through the insert deck without being captured. Therefore, when the trailing edge passes the insert station, since no support is provided for the card, it can drop through the debris opening without being processed.
The aforementioned parent application described an apparatus by which bowed or warped credit cards could be processed within a card reader having a debris opening. In the parent application, a card ramp extended into the card slot area to catch the edge of an extremely warped card, allowing the card to be read. The card ramp was attached to one or both sides of the chassis.
After placing the apparatus in operation, it was discovered that the reader did not always work for extremely warped cards. It was suggested that the ramp extend a little further across the card slot opening. It was also discovered that when a user fraudulently cut the corners off the credit card, either or both of the previous ramps could be bypassed.
The current invention features a new ramp design that extends across the entire card slot opening. The new ramp protrudes from the back of the chassis, and eliminates the possibility of extremely warped or cut cards from bypassing the system. The newly designed ramp can be retrofitted into the old card readers by adhesively attaching or snap fitting them into place. The retrofitted system maintains the half card drop out feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the case of an average warped, bowed, or bent card being presented to a card reading device, a debris opening does not normally trap a deformed card. The card is not confiscated, since the leading edge of the card makes contact with the card ramp, forcing the card into the card path.
It was discovered, however, that extremely warped or cut cards can miss the previously designed ramp of the card reader described in the aforementioned patent application, Ser. No. 09/272,661. The ramp may not perform its intended function; the card may not be captured in the card reader slot. Therefore, when the trailing edge passes the insert station, since no support is provided for the card, it can drop through the debris opening without being processed.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved credit, or smart card reader for processing bent, bowed, extremely warped, or cut credit or smart cards. The reader comprises an insertion deck for inserting a card to be read and processed, as was previously provided. The card is inserted into a slot provided in the insertion deck. The card travels along a processing path contacting a supporting card ramp, which now extends across the entire width of the card slot opening. Once captured, the normal card can be processed in the usual manner. A debris opening is provided, as before, below the processing path adjacent the insertion deck. The debris opening allows any item other than a full card to drop out of the processing path.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved credit, or smart card reader.
It is another object of this invention to provide a credit, or smart card reader that will process bent, bowed, extremely warped, or cut credit cards.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5589681 (1996-12-01), Merlin et al.
Axiohm Transaction Solutions, Inc.
Pitts Harold I.
Salzman & Levy
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