Confused about terms like Coin Mechanisms, Note Validators, Smart Card's, Magnetic Card Reader / Writers, Hybrid Cards? CyberD eliminates the mystery in terms that will help you to make a more informed choice for your particular Kiosk application!

Credit Input Devices:

Coin Mechanisms
Coin mechanisms are used for the input of coins for vending or accessing functionality from the kiosk. Coin operation is ideal for small transactions such as selling time on the internet, placing small bets (fruit machine) and vending low value goods.

Note Validators
Note validators are used for the input of paper bills. When using paper currency it is important to remember that the kiosk will be holding large amounts of cash (this could be up to £6000 of £20 notes). Security and insurance of the kiosk becomes a major concern.

PcCredit™ Interface Boards
The PcCredit™ Range gives simple communications via RS232 to credit input devices from PCs. The PcCredit™ Range includes boards capable of communicating with coin mechanisms, note validators (with ESCROW) and swipe card readers simultaniously and coin mechanisms and payout hoppers.

Basic PcCredit™ Interface boards are available that only communicate with coin mechanisms. CyberD provides ActiveX drivers for these boards to allow rapid development of applications that require credit input devices.

Magnetic Cards
There are three types of magnetic card reading devices, each one has benefits for specific functions.

• Swipe Readers
  Swipe readers are the most basic of reader, it incorporaates a small unit with a slot through which the card is "swiped". These readers are best suited to applications where the card is read and no longer required for operation, such as access ID cards, loyalty schemes or debit/credit card transactions.
  
  
• Manual Insert
  Insert readers provide a better read of the card and are comprised of a slot into which the card is pushed, the card is then retained until the unit is instructed to release the card. These readers are suited to operations where the card is required during operation, such as time dependent access where operations cease on removal of the card.
  
  
• Motorized Insert
  Motorised readers provide the best read as the motor passes the magnetic stripe over the heads at a constant speed. Motorised readers can also provide "card capture" where the card is retained by the unit.
  
  These units are best suited to applications where the card has a high financial value or fraud may be a major concern. As these units give the best read, they should always be a consideration if an insert device is preferred.

NOTE :  Both motor drive and manual insert card readers can be fitted with shutters to prevent insertion of damaging objects.

For magnetic read and write functionality, CyberD only recommends the use of motor driven units. These units provide a reliable ''write'' as the card is moved over the heads at a constant speed. All motor driven card writing units provide reading functionality, many provide card capture as well.

Choosing the Magnetic Card Type
Most magnetic cards used in the UK, Europe and USA conform to ISO 7810 & 7811. This standard provides three tracks on the magnetic stripe for holding different data. Readers and writers can be configured for the following combinations of tracks:

• track 1 only
• track 2 only
• track 3 only
• tracks 1 & 2
• tracks 2 & 3
• tracks 1, 2 & 3

When specifying a magnetic card reader or reader/writer, it is important to know what combination of tracks you wish to use. For details of the ISO standards for magnetic cards refer to the CyberD User Network Hardware & Standards section.

SMART Cards
SMART Card technology is based around a microchip mounted on the plastic card (credit card sized). The advantage of chip based cards is that you are not restricted to the data that can be stored in the chips memory as you are with the data types that can be stored on magnetic stripes. Chip cards are supplied with various memory sizes and security features. The majority of chip cards conform to ISO/IEC 7816. Many chip card readers are hybrid readers (see below).

Hybrid Card Readers
Hybrid card readers have the ability to read (in some cases write) both magnetic cards and chip SMART cards. This technology is becoming standard within the credit card marketplace for added levels of security. The readers for this function are generally insert type readers, however there are now swipe versions for POS applications such as store check-outs. Hybrid readers should be considered when high levels of security are required or both magnetic stripe and chips may be required.