A card mechanism used in an array with other card mechanisms. Each card mechanism handles plastic cards that are to be personalized and provided to end users. The plastic cards can be cards such as financial cards including credit and debit cards, identification cards, driver's licenses, and other plastic cards that are personalized. The card mechanism(s) can supply cards to be personalized in one or more other card mechanisms and/or in a card personalization machine used with the card mechanism(s) in which case the card mechanism(s) is configured as a card input hopper, collect cards that have been personalized in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card output hopper, and/or perform one or more personalization operations on the cards in which case the card mechanism is configured as a card personalization mechanism.

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, to systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features and improved user interfaces. For instance, a smart search may be provided, e.g., where search results vary based on the popularity of songs within the venue, in dependence on songs being promoted, etc. As another example, a tile-based approach to organizing groupings of songs is provided. Groupings may involve self-populating collections of songs that combine centrally-promoted songs, songs in a given genre that are popular across an audiovisual distribution network, and songs that are locally popular and match up with the given genre (e.g., because of shared attributes such as same or similar genre, artist, etc.). Different tile visual presentations also are contemplated, as are different physical jukebox designs. In certain example embodiments, a sealed core unit with the “brains” of the jukebox is insertable into a docking station.

Aspects of the technology provide a card reader for facilitating a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant. In some implementations, the card reader includes an audio plug configured to provide a communicative coupling between the card reader and a smartphone device, and a read head communicatively coupled to the audio plug, the read head being configured to read financial information from a payment card for processing a transfer of funds from the buyer to the merchant. In certain implementations, the card reader further includes a switch coupled to the audio plug, wherein the switch is configured to close in response to the presence of the payment card to enable communication between the card reader and the smartphone via the audio plug.

A payment device comprising of a housing, a slot for insertion of a user instrument located on a front surface of the housing, and wherein the housing includes a smart card interface integrated circuit that is configured to read an EMV chip located on the user instrument, and a universal serial bus (USB) type C male connector configured to be inserted into a female connector on a computing device, wherein the USB type C male connector is located on a back surface of the housing, and wherein a size of the USB type C male connector is configured so that when the USB type C male connector is inserted into the female connector on the computing device, the back surface of the housing is within a distance of three centimeters of a surface of the computing device.

In an information processing device (settlement terminal device), a first main body that accommodates a first information processing unit in a first housing including a first input display unit (first touch panel), and a second main body that includes a second housing from which a seat unit for detachably attaching the first main body extends, and accommodates a secure second information processing unit which includes a second input display unit (second touch panel) disposed in the second housing to be on the same plane as that of the first input display unit of the first main body attached to the seat unit, and which has tamper resistance, are provided. In the information processing device, the first input display unit and the second input display unit are preferably arranged on the same plane. A secure portion can secure physically high tamper-resistance performance and the high robustness of the entire device.

A payment card reader connected to an audio port of a mobile computing device may include a card interface, the card interface configured to read data from a payment card; a TRRS connector to couple the payment card reader with the mobile computing device; and an audio interface circuit coupled with the TRRS connector. The audio interface circuit may include a communication circuit configured to transmit data to and receive data from the mobile computing device via the TRRS connector and an energy harvesting circuit configured to receive an audio signal via the TRRS connector, to harvest energy from the audio signal, and to provide energy to other components of the card reader.

A keypad overlay for credit card machines includes a main panel, a lateral wall, a connector wall, a plurality of button receiving features, a first attachment hole, and a second attachment hole. The connector wall and the lateral wall are perimetrically positioned around the main panel. The connector wall is terminally connected to the main panel. The lateral wall is terminally connected to the main panel. The plurality of button receiving features is integrated onto the main panel. The first attachment hole and the second attachment hole are oppositely positioned of each other along the connector wall. The first attachment hole traverses through the connector wall. The second attachment hole traverses through the connector wall.

A payment terminal device attenuates or turns on a backlight illuminating a display of a touch panel displaying a screen relating to payment processing when information relating to the payment processing is printed in a print module. In addition, the payment terminal device turns off the attenuated or turned off backlight, after the printing of the information relating to the payment processing is finished by the print module. When the printer is operated, by pausing or suspending a part of a function or a process, a total amount of current flowing into a power supply stored inside a housing is reduced and power consumption is reduced.

A power management circuitry for a peripheral electronic device includes a power regeneration circuitry, a power selector, a power switch and an audio signal detection circuitry. The power regeneration circuitry receives a continuous periodic sound wave from an audio device and converts the continuous periodic sound wave into an amplified DC electrical signal. The power source selector receives the amplified DC electrical signal and input from a primary power source and provides a power signal output. The audio signal detection circuitry receives the amplified DC electrical signal and transmits a wake-up signal to the power switch circuitry. The power switch circuitry is turned on by the wake-up signal and connects the power source selector to the peripheral electronic device main circuitry and transfers the power signal output to the peripheral electronic device main circuitry.

A gate assembly can include a housing, a main body, at least one member, and an activation rib. The housing can define at least a portion of a card path of a payment interface. The main body can be coupled to the housing and can be movable between a closed position and an open position. The at least one member can extend from the main body such that, when the main body is in the closed position, the at least one member extends into the card path and can be oriented to inhibit an item from traveling through the card path. The activation rib can extend from the main body and can be located such that, when the main body is in the closed position, the activation rib extends into the card path. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.