Electronic money cards are now widely used for transacting business. Generally, these electronic money cards are credit card size electronic devices that have a data port that can be connected into an electronic money transaction machine that increases or decreases the balance stored on the money card, depending upon the transaction performed. For example, the electronic money card can be inserted into an electronic bank machine that can increase the balance stored on that card to represent thereby the withdrawal of funds from the bank. Conversely, the electronic money card can be inserted into an electronic cash register machine that can decrease the balance on the card responsive to a purchase of goods.
Electronic money cards work well for carrying and storing data signals representative of electronic money. However, unlike conventional hard currency, electronic money signals are not readily discernible by a user wishing to determine the amount of money available to that user. Accordingly, electronic money cards require a balance reader that allows the user to determine the balance stored on that card. Typically, these balance readers are electronic circuit card assemblies sized to receive a money card, with a port for slidably receiving the electronic money card and with a display that can display to a user the balance stored in that card. Although these balance readers generally work well, they tend to be bulky, and complicated plastic cases that are cumbersome to carry.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide balance readers that are more facile to use and more convenient to carry.
Other objects of the invention shall be made obvious by the review of the attached figures and upon study of the associated detailed description.