Patent ID: 6896187
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
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.