GB1585651A

GB1585651A - Data sensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1585651A
Application number: GB3921777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 1976-09-20
Filing date: 1977-09-20
Publication date: 1981-03-11
Also published as: JPS5338934A; FR2365165B1; DE2642157C2; DE2642157A1; JPS60706B2; FR2365165A1; CH617782A5

Abstract

The data-recording device consists of an identity-card reader (1), an operating and indicating part (2) and a control and power part (3). It is designed so that only a single form of housing is necessary both for wall mounting and for desk mounting. In particular, the identity-card reader (1) and the operating and indicating part (2), on the one hand, and the control and power part (3), on the other hand, are respectively combined to form one constructional unit. The housing parts of the constructional units are so designed and coordinated with one another that the control and power part (3) can be attached both underneath and, pivoted through 90 DEG behind the identity-card reader (1) and operating and indicating part (2) combined to form one constructional unit. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) DATA SENSING APPARATUS (71) We, SIEMENS AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT, a German company, of Munich and Berlin, Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to data sensing apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided data sensing apparatus including a reading device for receiving a data-carrying member and for reading data from the member, and power supply supply means for supplying driving power for the apparatus, the apparatus being constructed in the form of at least two component units in respective housings incorporating the reading device and the power supply means, respectively, two of the units being releasably secured one against the other and the several units being so constructed that with the said unit which incorporates the reading device maintained in any given position, one of the said two units can be released from the other such unit and releasably resecured thereon in another position arranged at 900 to the previous position of said one unit.

Preferably, the said one unit has a single mounting surface thereon and the said other unit has two, mutually perpendicular, mounting surfaces thereon, so that, depending upon which of its said two positions the said one unit is occupying, the said single mounting surface is positioned against one or the other of the mutually perpendicular mounting surfaces, the arrangement of the three mounting surfaces being such that the apparatus can be used with the said other unit mounted above the said one unit or in front of the said one unit.

The reading device may be for receiving and reading data from an identity card.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes operating and display means incorporated in the said unit which incorporates the reading device or in the said one unit, for enabling operating information to be passed into the apparatus and for displaying information.

Advantageously, the apparatus includes a mounting plate for said units, which mounting plate is operable, for either of said positions of said one unit, for at least partly mechanically and/or electrically connecting the units together.

The apparatus may include screw means or plug means releasably connecting the housing of the units together.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side view of data sensing apparatus when arranged for wall mounting; and Figure 2 is a side view of the same apparatus but arranged for table mounting.

The apparatus comprises three component parts having respective housings, the parts being respectively an identity card reader 1, an operating and display part 2 and a control and power supply part 3. The individual component parts 1, 2 and 3 are connected together in releasable fashion to form the apparatus with the aid of an assembly plate 4.

The parts may be arranged one on top of another as shown in Figure 1 so as to form an upright overall shape of the apparatus which is best for wall mounting of the apparatus. In this arrangement, as shown a top surface of the control and power supply part 3 is mounted against an underneath surface of the operating and display part 2. Alternatively, the parts may be arranged one in front of another as shown in Figure 2 so that the mounting surface which in the Figure 1 arrangement constitutes the top surface is mounted against an upright rear surface of the operating and display part. This Figure 2 arrangement gives a flat overall shape which is best, so as to give stability, for mounting on a table or the like.

The identity card reader 1 has a slot 5 in which the identity cards (not shown in the drawing) are fed to the reader. For reasons of ergonomy, the slot 5 extends vertically. For the purpose of reading the identity cards introduced into the slot 5, either the card to be read or the reading head itself (not shown) may be correspondingly moved. The operating and display part 2 has on its inclined face 6 a keyboard 7 for feeding in different data and a display panel (not visible in the drawing) for displaying information.In the embodiment shown, as well as the control and power supply part 3 being constructed as a unit separate from the reader 1 and the operating and display part 2, the identity card reader 1 and the operating and display part 2 are constructed as respective component units which are mechanically and electrically connected together either directly or by way of the assembly plate 4. However it is not essential that the reader 1 and the part 2 should be like this, ie. the parts 1 and 2 could form a single unit.

Figure 2 illustrates the assembly of the data sensing apparatus for mounting on a table or the like. While the component parts 1 and 2 have the same arrangement as before, the part 3 comprising the control and power supply part are mounted behind the parts 1 and 2, the parts 2 and 3 again being mechanically and electrically connected together.

The reading device 1, the operating and display part 2 and the control and power supply part 3 may either be firmly connected together in releasable fashion (for example by screws or the like) or be adapted to be plugged together. The housing parts are releasably connected together by a snap or plug fit, so that a simple assembly is possible.

With either of the two arrangements shown the operating and display part 2 and the reader 1 are presented to a person operating the apparatus with the same orientation and, in particular, in both arrangements the slot 5 is vertical and thus extends in the optimum direction.

As may be seen, the illustrated apparatus is not comprised in a single common housing which, even if it had a shape such that it could be mounted upright on a wall or turned through 90" and laid on a table, would be such that the orientation of the operating controls and particularly the card reader slot would not be the same for both positions of the apparatus.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Data sensing apparatus including a reading device for receiving a datacarrying member and for reading data from the member, and power supply means for supplying driving power for the apparatus, the apparatus being constructed in the form of at least two component units in respective housings incorporating the reading device and the power supply means respectively, two of the units being releasably secured one against the other and the several units being so constructed that with the said unit which incorporates the reading device maintained in any given position, one of the said two units can be released from the other such unit and releasably resecured thereon in another position arranged at 900 to the previous position of said one unit.

2. Data sensing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said one unit has a single mounting surface thereon and the said other unit has two, mutually perpendicular, mounting surfaces thereon, so that, depending upon which of its said two positions the said one unit is occupying, the said single mounting surfade is positioned against one or the other of the mutually perpendicular mounting surfaces, the arrangement of the three mounting surfaces being such that the apparatus can be used with the said other unit mounted above the said one unit or in front of the said one unit.

3. Data sensing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the reading device is for receiving and reading data from the identity card.

4. Data sensing apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, further including operating and display means incorporated in the said unit which incorporates the reading device or in the said one unit, for enabling operating information to be passed into the apparatus and for displaying information.

5. Data sensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a mounting plate for said units and which is operable, for either of said positions of said one unit, for at least partly mechanically and/or electrically connecting the units together.

6. Data sensing apparatus according to any preceding claim, including screw means or plug means releasably connecting the housings of the units together.

7. Data sensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. constructed as a unit separate from the reader 1 and the operating and display part 2, the identity card reader 1 and the operating and display part 2 are constructed as respective component units which are mechanically and electrically connected together either directly or by way of the assembly plate 4. However it is not essential that the reader 1 and the part 2 should be like this, ie. the parts 1 and 2 could form a single unit. Figure 2 illustrates the assembly of the data sensing apparatus for mounting on a table or the like. While the component parts 1 and 2 have the same arrangement as before, the part 3 comprising the control and power supply part are mounted behind the parts 1 and 2, the parts 2 and 3 again being mechanically and electrically connected together. The reading device 1, the operating and display part 2 and the control and power supply part 3 may either be firmly connected together in releasable fashion (for example by screws or the like) or be adapted to be plugged together. The housing parts are releasably connected together by a snap or plug fit, so that a simple assembly is possible. With either of the two arrangements shown the operating and display part 2 and the reader 1 are presented to a person operating the apparatus with the same orientation and, in particular, in both arrangements the slot 5 is vertical and thus extends in the optimum direction. As may be seen, the illustrated apparatus is not comprised in a single common housing which, even if it had a shape such that it could be mounted upright on a wall or turned through 90" and laid on a table, would be such that the orientation of the operating controls and particularly the card reader slot would not be the same for both positions of the apparatus. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Data sensing apparatus including a reading device for receiving a datacarrying member and for reading data from the member, and power supply means for supplying driving power for the apparatus, the apparatus being constructed in the form of at least two component units in respective housings incorporating the reading device and the power supply means respectively, two of the units being releasably secured one against the other and the several units being so constructed that with the said unit which incorporates the reading device maintained in any given position, one of the said two units can be released from the other such unit and releasably resecured thereon in another position arranged at 900 to the previous position of said one unit.