MagTek INTELLISTRIPE 380 USB/RS-232 - Manual (Page 11)

Section 1. Features and Specifications
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Lead-in Roller System
The primary purpose of the Lead-in Roller System is to grab the card from the user during card
insertion and to make sure the card is mechanically under motor control before reaching the
read/write head and its associated drive rollers.
As a secondary function, the Lead-in Drive Roller will also assist in allowing for a more reliable
exit positioning of the card during an eject sequence. The Lead-in Roller allows for the
possibility of pulling the card back into the reader if required.
Front Opto-Sensor
The Front Opto-Sensor is located near the entrance of the card path. The primary function of this
sensor is to provide information that a card has been inserted into the Reader and to inform the
microcontroller to initiate motor and card-handling activities.
As a secondary function, this sensor also provides feedback regarding card location during a card
eject and/or jam-clear sequence.
Encode Opto-Sensor
This sensor is located approximately 0.300” before the crown of the magnetic read/write head.
The primary purpose of this sensor is to provide the microcontroller with the position of the
leading edge of the card just before encoding. This information, in conjunction with the Rotary
Pulse Generator (RPG), allows for a higher degree of positional accuracy just before initiation of
the magnetic encode process.
As a secondary function, this sensor also provides feedback regarding card location during a
card-eject and/or jam-clear sequence.
Card-Landed Mechanical Switch Sensor
This switch is integrated as part of the ISO-8 smartcard contact block, and the sensor provides an
indication when the leading edge of a card has reached physical travel limit for rearward travel
and has successfully engaged with the smartcard contacts which allows for a successful
smartcard interface session.
Spring-Loaded Card Registration Guide(s)
The spring-loaded guide ensures that the reference edge of the card is mechanically referenced to
the magnetic read/write head, so that the magnetically encoded track data is physically located
on the magstripe in accordance with the specifications of ISO 7811.