Card readers have come under increased use in hotels and a host of other card detection activities. With the dramatic increase in use, the quality and reliability have become big factors in shaping the technology used for card detection. Furthermore, power requirements can play an important role as well. Designers have chosen Reed Sensors to improve the quality, reliabillity and reduce power usage. Sensors and Relays used in a variety of security-related components such as in a safety belt of automobile, plane, or bus, fire and security doors as well electronic access controls like the key card used in hotel rooms.
Most hotels have converted over to key cards with a programmed magnetic
strip on its surface. The question is when and how to activate the magnetic strip
reader? Using a simple mechanical switch to turn on the reader has been
fraught with quality problems. Most times the mechanical switches are not
sealed and are therefore subject to moisture, dirt and grime. Any of these
substances landing on the contact area will corrode the contacts or prevent
proper switching. Using an electronic opto-isolator is very reliability but requires
power all the time. If the electronics in the door is battery operated, which is
often the case, the battery will be used up much quicker. For these reasons,
reed sensors have now been chosen as the design-in choice.
