Importance

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Abstract

A low cost, compact embossed card reader for reading embossed characters on credit or debit cards and for integration into a combined magnetic character/magnetic stripe terminal. A low-profile housing defines a card path and provides a surface for mounting a removable read head. The housing includes an integrated card guide for guiding the embossed characters along a linear path adjacent the read head. The read head includes a plurality of pins mounted orthogonally to the card, and aligned so as to scan each of the embossed characters in parallel paths as the card moves relative to the read head. The pins move upwardly as they encounter an embossed character and open a normally-closed switch formed by a printed circuit board and a plurality of leaf spring fingers. The read head is operative to float relative to the surface of the card and relative to the embossing on the card.

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First Claim