Apparatus and system for optical card reading and method of use
A method, system, and apparatus for reading from and writing to a multi-memory card, such as a bankcard, credit card, or smart card. The apparatus of the system includes reading devices, writing devices, and controllers for reading from and writing to the magnetic, optical, and electronic memory portions of a multi-memory card. The method of the present invention includes a method for controlling the reading from and writing to such cards via software applications that integrate control of a magnetic read/write component, an optical read/write component, an electronic read/write component and their respective transport mechanisms. The software applications integrate the multiple read/write components to allow such functions as for example bank and medical transactions to be performed utilizing a single multi-memory card.
1. A method for controlling the reading from and writing to a multi-memory card comprising:
positioning a first memory of the multi-memory card within a first read/write component to facilitate reading from the first read/write component;
reading information from the first memory;
providing selectable functions in the form of a menu to a user;
receiving a first selected function, the first selected function having an associated second read/write component;
transporting the multi-memory card to the second read/write component according to the first selected function;
positioning a second memory of the multi-memory card within the second read/write component to facilitate reading from and writing to a second read/write component; and
performing the first selected function;
displaying the results of the first selected function to the user;
providing selectable functions to the user;
receiving a second selected function, the second selected function having an associated third read/write component;
transporting the multi-memory card to the third read/write component according to the second selected function;
positioning a third memory of the multi-memory card within the third read/write component to facilitate reading from or writing thereto according to the second selected function; and
reading from or writing to the third memory according to the second selected function.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first selected function comprises reading from the second memory.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first selected function comprises writing to the second memory.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first read/write component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic read/write component, an electronic read/write component, and an optical read/write component.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second read/write component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic read/write component, an electronic read/write component, and an optical read/write component.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first memory is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic memory, an electronic memory, and an optical memory.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second memory is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic memory, an electronic memory, and an optical memory.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the third read/write component is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic read/write component, an electronic read/write component, and an optical read/write component.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the third memory is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic memory, an electronic memory, and an optical memory.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first selected function is selected from the group consisting of:
resetting at least one of the first and second memories;
reviewing account balances in at least one of the first and second memories;
reconciling accounts based on information in at least one of the first and second memories;
updating account information in at least one the first and second memories;
transferring money to or between at least one of the first and second memories; and
dispensing the multi-memory card.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second selected function is selected from the group consisting of:
resetting at least one of the first and second memories;
reviewing account balances in at least one of the first and second memories;
reconciling accounts based on information in at least one of the first and second memories;
updating account information in at least one the first and second memories;
transferring money to or between at least one of the first and second memories; and
dispensing the multi-memory card.
12. A system for controlling the reading from and writing to a multi-memory card comprising:
means for positioning a first memory of the multi-memory card within a first read/write component to facilitate reading from the first read/write component;
means for reading information from the first memory;
means for providing selectable functions in the form of a menu to a user;
means for receiving a first selected function, the first selected function having an associated second read/write component;
means for transporting the multi-memory card to the second read/write component according to the first selected function;
means for positioning a second memory of the multi-memory card within the second read/write component to facilitate reading from and writing to a second read/write component; and
means for performing the first selected function;
means for displaying the results of the first selected function to the user;
means for providing selectable functions to the user;
means for receiving a second selected function, the second selected function having an associated third read/write component;
means for transporting the multi-memory card to the third read/write component according to the second selected function;
means for positioning a third memory of the multi-memory card within the third read/write component to facilitate reading from or writing thereto according to the second selected function; and
means for reading from or writing to the third memory according to the second selected function.