Abstract:
A slidable magnetic card reader particularly suitable for magnetic payment cards having at least one longitudinal edge surface, the card reader including a magnetic card reading head operative to provide a data output in response to sliding thereby of a magnetic card bearing readable magnetically encoded data and a sliding track defining assembly including an elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface arranged for sliding engagement with a longitudinal edge surface of a magnetic card, the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface extending at least to a location generally underlying the magnetic card reading head, at least a portion of the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface being electrically conductive and being coupled to electrical ground.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to magnetic card readers generally. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various types of magnetic card readers are known. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention seeks to provide an improved magnetic card reader which is suitable for use with conductive cards bearing magnetic stripes. 
         [0004]    There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a slidable magnetic card reader particularly suitable for magnetic payment cards having at least one longitudinal edge surface, the card reader including a magnetic card reading head operative to provide a data output in response to sliding thereby of a magnetic card bearing readable magnetically encoded data and a sliding track defining assembly including an elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface arranged for sliding engagement with a longitudinal edge surface of a magnetic card, the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface extending at least to a location generally underlying the magnetic card reading head, at least a portion of the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface being electrically conductive and being coupled to electrical ground. 
         [0005]    Preferably, the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface extends to two opposite sides of the location underlying the magnetic card reading head and at least a portion of the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface on each of the two opposite sides of the location underlying the magnetic card reading head is electrically conductive and is coupled to electrical ground. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface is electrically conductive substantially along its entire length. Preferably, the sliding track defining assembly is electrically conductive. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface includes an electrically conductive strip. Additionally, the electrically conductive strip is die cut from a metal sheet. Alternatively, the electrically conductive strip is die cast. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface includes an electrically non-conductive strip including at least two cutouts and an electrically conductive strip including at least two protrusions which resiliently extend through the at least two cutouts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         [0020]    As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there is provided a point of sale device  100 , preferably including a top housing portion  102  having a first aperture  104  for accommodating a display screen  106  and an array of key openings  108  for accommodating keys of a keypad portion  110 . A bottom housing portion  112  cooperates with top housing portion  102  and defines a magnetic card swipe slot  114 . 
         [0021]    Top housing portion  102  and bottom housing portion  112  together enclose a magnetic card reader assembly  120  and typically two PCBs  122 , onto which are mounted electrical circuitry for operating the point of sale device  100 . 
         [0022]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2A-3B , it is seen that the magnetic card reader assembly  120  includes a base member  130 , preferably injection molded of plastic and including a screen support portion  132  defining a screen support surface  134  and, extending generally perpendicular thereto, a magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136 . Magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136  includes an aperture  138  through which extends a magnetic stripe reader head  140 , which may be of conventional construction and which is resiliently mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136  by means of a spring support  142 , ends of which are mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136 . A flexible connector  144  is coupled at one end  146  thereof to the magnetic stripe reader head  140  and at opposite end  147  thereof to a data connector  148 . 
         [0023]    A bottom facing edge  149  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136  defines a mounting surface for an elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface defining electrically conductive strip  150 , preferably die cut from a metal sheet, which extends transversely outwardly towards bottom housing portion  112  and thus preferably defines a floor of magnetic card swipe slot  114  with which floor the edge of a magnetic card (not shown) is in engagement as it is swiped through slot  114 . 
         [0024]    Strip  150  is operative to provide electrostatic discharge from a magnetic card, such as a metal card, a metal coated card or a card having an electrically conductive bottom edge, swiped therealong in either direction and in engagement therewith to ground, preferably via a ground connection portion  152  thereof, which is connected, at an end  153  thereof, to a grounded terminal  154  formed on one of PCBs  122 . The electrical discharge of the card occurs at least prior to engagement of the card with the magnetic strip reader head  140 . Grounded terminal  154  is preferably coupled to ground via electrical circuitry on PCB  122 . 
         [0025]    Strip  150  is preferably secured to bottom facing edge  149  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  136  by means of a pair of screws  156  and  157 , which threadably engage respective suitably apertured bosses  158  and  159 . Precise positioning of strip  150  onto bottom facing edge  149  is preferably enhanced by the provision of locator protrusions  160  on bottom facing edge  149 , which engage corresponding apertures  161  on strip  150 . 
         [0026]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , which are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , and to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is provided a point of sale device  400  preferably including a top housing portion  402  having a first aperture  404  for accommodating a display screen  406  and an array of key openings  408  for accommodating keys of a keypad portion  410 . A bottom housing portion  412  cooperates with top housing portion  402  and defines a magnetic card swipe slot  414 . 
         [0028]    Top housing portion  402  and bottom housing portion  412  together enclose a magnetic card reader assembly  420  and typically two PCBs  422 , onto which are mounted electrical circuitry for operating the point of sale device  400 . 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-6B , it is seen that the magnetic card reader assembly  420  includes a base member  430 , preferably injection molded of plastic and including a screen support portion  432  defining a screen support surface  434  and, extending generally perpendicular thereto, a magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436 . Magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436  includes an aperture  438  through which extends a magnetic stripe reader head  440 , which may be of conventional construction and which is resiliently mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436  by means of a spring support  442 , ends of which are mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436 . A flexible connector  444  is coupled at one end  446  thereof to the magnetic stripe reader head  440  and at opposite end  447  thereof to a data connector  448 . 
         [0030]    A bottom facing edge  449  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436  extends outwardly towards bottom housing portion  412  and defines a mounting surface for an elongate magnetic card edge engagement protrusion defining electrically conductive strip  450 , preferably die cut from a metal sheet, which extends transversely outwardly towards bottom housing portion  412 . 
         [0031]    An upward facing surface  451  of bottom facing edge  449  preferably defines a floor of magnetic card swipe slot  414  with which floor the edge of a magnetic card (not shown) is in engagement as it is swiped through slot  414 . Bottom facing edge  449  is formed with at least two cut outs  452  through which resiliently extend corresponding protrusions  454  preferably formed by folding of strip  450 . Protrusions  454  are preferably positioned on both sides of the magnetic stripe reader head  440  along magnetic card swipe slot  414  in order to resiliently and yieldingly engage an edge of a card swiped along slot  414  in either direction prior to engagement of the card with magnetic stripe reader head  440 . The electrical discharge of the card occurs at least prior to engagement of the card with the magnetic strip reader head  440 . 
         [0032]    Strip  450  is operative to provide electrostatic discharge from a magnetic card, such as a metal card, a metal coated card or a card having an electrically conductive bottom edge, swiped therealong in either direction and in engagement therewith to ground, preferably via a ground connection portion  455  thereof, which is connected, at an end  456  thereof, to a grounded terminal  458  formed on one of PCBs  422 . Grounded terminal  458  is preferably coupled to ground via electrical circuitry on PCB  422 . 
         [0033]    Strip  450  is preferably resiliently secured to bottom facing edge  449  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  436  by means of a pair of screws (not shown), which threadably engage respective suitably apertured bosses (not shown). Alternatively, strip  450  may be resiliently secured to bottom facing edge  449  by any suitable attachment method, such as by use of an adhesive. 
         [0034]    Precise positioning of strip  450  onto bottom facing edge  449  may be enhanced by the provision of locator protrusions (not shown) on bottom facing edge  449 , which engage corresponding apertures (not shown) on strip  450 . 
         [0035]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which are simplified pictorial assembled and exploded view illustrations of a point of sale device constructed and operative in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , which are simplified perspective illustrations of a magnetic card reader assembly forming part of the point of sale device of  FIGS. 7A and 7B , and to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , which are simplified exploded view illustrations of the magnetic card reader assembly of  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
         [0036]    As seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , there is provided a point of sale device  700  preferably including a top housing portion  702  having a first aperture  704  for accommodating a display screen  706  and an array of key openings  708  for accommodating keys of a keypad portion  710 . A bottom housing portion  712  cooperates with top housing portion  702  and defines a magnetic card swipe slot  714 . 
         [0037]    Top housing portion  702  and bottom housing portion  712  together enclose a magnetic card reader assembly  720  and typically two PCBs  722 , onto which are mounted electrical circuitry for operating the point of sale device  700 . 
         [0038]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8A-9B , it is seen that the magnetic card reader assembly  720  includes a base member  730 , preferably injection molded of plastic and including a screen support portion  732  defining a screen support surface  734  and, extending generally perpendicular thereto, a magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736 . Magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736  includes an aperture  738  through which extends a magnetic stripe reader head  740 , which may be of conventional construction and which is resiliently mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736  by means of a spring support  742 , ends of which are mounted onto magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736 . A flexible connector  744  is coupled at one end  746  thereof to the magnetic stripe reader head  740  and at opposite end  747  thereof to a data connector  748 . 
         [0039]    A bottom facing edge  749  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736  defines a mounting surface for an elongate magnetic card edge engagement surface defining electrically conductive strip  750 , preferably die cast of a zinc alloy, which extends transversely outwardly towards bottom housing portion  712  and thus preferably defines a floor of magnetic card swipe slot  714  with which floor the edge of a magnetic card (not shown) is in engagement as it is swiped through slot  714 . 
         [0040]    Strip  750  is operative to provide electrostatic discharge from a magnetic card, such as a metal card, a metal coated card or a card having an electrically conductive bottom edge, swiped therealong in either direction and in engagement therewith to ground, preferably via a ground connection portion  752  thereof, which is connected to a grounded terminal  754  formed on one of PCBs  722 , typically via an electrical connector, such as a wire  755 . The electrical discharge of the card occurs at least prior to engagement of the card with the magnetic strip reader head  740 . 
         [0041]    Grounded terminal  754  is preferably coupled to ground via electrical circuitry on PCB  722 . Strip  750  is preferably secured to bottom facing edge  749  of magnetic stripe reader head support portion  736  by means of a pair of screws  756  and  757 , which threadably engage respective suitably apertured bosses  758  and  759 . Precise positioning of strip  750  onto bottom facing edge  749  is preferably enhanced by the provision of locator protrusions  760  on bottom facing edge  749 , which engage corresponding apertures  761  on strip  750 . 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly claimed and includes both combinations and subcombinations of features described and shown hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which are not in the prior art.