System for guiding a user in orienting an application insert having a plurality of datastrips relative to a datastrip reader

摘要

Digital data utilization apparatus includes a datastrip reader for reading digital data encoded on one or more datastrips on an application insert. Disclosed is a system for guiding a user in orienting the application insert relative to the datastrip reader so that the datastrips are read in the correct sequence. The digital data utilization apparatus includes an electronic display which displays messages to prompt the user in correctly orienting the application insert relative to the reader. The apparatus also includes guide marks which align with marks on the insert, to further assist the user. Preferably, the application insert also includes a membrane touch pad which overlays a membrane touch pad on the digital data utilization device. The guidance system of the invention (1) minimizes the number of steps required by the user to correctly orient the datastrips to be read by the reader and (2) finishes the guidance sequence so that the touch pad on the application insert overlays the touch pad on the digital data utilization apparatus.