Card reading system

Claim 1

A system for generating a unique signal indicative of an identity carried by a card when the card is seated at a stationary card-reading position, comprising a. a unitary card having a plurality of defined zones thereon, each zone having means to create an indication representative of a particular binary condition of said zone, said means to create comprising a hole through said card in said zone to permit passage of light therethrough or the absence of a hole through said card in said zone to prevent passage of light therethrough, b. a receptacle for said card, said receptacle including a longitudinal internal slot to accomodate insertion of said card, and further including a plurality of card reading elements spaced such that when said card is inserted to a predetermined card-reading position within said receptacle, one reading element is positioned in registration with each said zone, and c. means to position said card at said predetermined card-reading position within said receptacle comprising an indented guide in said receptacle adjacent said slot and a corresponding protrusion extending outwardly from said card and engaging said guide when said card is inserted within said slot, said guide having a stop against which said protrusion seats to locate said card when inserted within said slot such that the combination of said guide and said protrusion limits the depth of insertion of said card within said slot and orients the position of said card.

Claim 2

A system for generating a unique signal indicative of an identity carried by a card when the card is seated at a stationary card-reading position, comprising a. a unitary card having a plurality of defined zones thereon, each zone having means to create an indication representative of a particular binary condition of said zone, said means to create comprising a hole through said card in said zone to permit passage of light therethrough or the absence of a hole through said card in said zone to prevent passage of light therethrough, b. a receptacle for said card, said receptacle including a longitudinal internal slot to accomodate insertion of said card, and further including a plurality of card reading elements spaced such that when said card is inserted to a predetermined card-reading position within said receptacle, one reading element is positioned in registration with each said zone, and c. means to position said card at said predetermined card-reading position within said receptacle comprising an indented guide in said receptacle adjacent said slot and a corresponding protrusion extending outwardly from said card and engaging said guide when said card is inserted within said slot, said guide having a stop against which said protrusion seats to locate said card when inserted within said slot such that the combination of said guide and said protrusion limits the depth of insertion of said card within said slot and orients the position of said card.

Claim 8

A system for generating a unique signal indicative of an identity carried by a card when the card is seated at a stationary card-reading position, comprising a. a unitary card having a plurality of defined zones thereon, at least one of said zones having a hole extending through said card and the presence or absence of a hole through said card in each of said zones being representative of a particular binary condition of said zone, b. a receptacle for said card, said receptacle including a longitudinal internal slot to accommodate insertion of said card and including a plurality of opto-electronic sensors spaced along said slot such that when said card in inserted within said slot to a predetermined card-reading position, one said sensor is positioned in registration with each said zone, c. a guide in said receptacle adjacent said slot and a corresponding protrusion extending outwardly from said card, said protrusion engaging said guide when said card is inserted within said slot, d. a stop in said guide positioned to engage said protrusion and locate said card at said predetermined card-reading position when said card is inserted with said slot, and e. means to determine proper insertion of said card within said slot.

Claim 9

A system for generating a unique signal indicative of an identity carried by a card when the card is seated at a stationary card-reading position, comprising a. a unitary card having a plurality of defined zones thereon, at least one of said zones having a hole extending through said card and the presence or absence of a hole through said card in each of said zones being representative of a particular binary condition of said zone, b. a receptacle for said card, said receptacle including a longitudinal internal slot to accommodate insertion of said card and including a plurality of opto-electronic sensors spaced along said slot such that when said card in inserted within said slot to a predetermined card-reading position, one said sensor is positioned in registration with each said zone, c. a guide in said receptacle adjacent said slot and a corresponding protrusion extending outwardly from said card, said protrusion engaging said guide when said card is inserted within said slot, d. a stop in said guide positioned to engage said protrusion and locate said card at said predetermined card-reading position when said card is inserted with said slot, and e. means to determine proper insertion of said card within said slot.